L 446 Aelian Characteristics Of Animals I: 1 5

\

/ the loeb classical library, ^

\^ ffOTTETDED BY JAMES LOEB, Ui.D. /

EDITED BY
fT. E. PAGE, C.H., LITT.D.

E. CAPPS, ph.d., ix.d. fW. H. B. ROUSE, litt.d.

. A. POST, m.a. E. H. WARMINGTON, m.a., f.r.hist.soc.

c w c )

AELIAN

ON THE CHARACTERISTICS
- OF ANIMALS

BOOKS I— V

z

AELIAN

ON THE CHARACTERISTICS
OF ANIMALS ,

WITH AN ENGLISH TRANSLATION BY
A. F. SCriOLFIELD

^OSJ^ FELLOW OP KING'S COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE

^ a IN THREE VOLUMES

BOOKS I — V /W

|biblio1he

As

LONDON

JSL a.

WILLIAM HEINEM ANN LTD <^ ^

CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS

HARVARD UNIVERSITY PRESS

MOMLVIII — ** >9 .

The

President and Fellow* of Harvard College 1958

■ printed in Great Britain

CONTENTS

PAGE

PREFACE vii

m'TBODTJOTION xi

STXMMABY 3

PROLOGUE 8

BOOK I 13

BOOK II 87

book ni 157

BOOK IV 213

book v 283

V

PREFACE

Ninety-three years have elapsed since Aelian's De
naiura animalium was edited for the Teubner series
by Rudolf Hercher. His text was a revision of that
which he had published six years earlier, in 1858,
in the Didot series. Both these books have long
been out of print and almost unobtainable. In one
respect the Teubner edition is inferior to its pre-
decessor, since the editor gives no more than a bare
* Index mutationum praeter codices factarum '
without specifying which * codices * he has used, and
those who are concerned to know how he explains
or defends some of his frequent desertions of the
manuscripts must still turn to the preface and the
' Adnotatio critica ' of the Didot edition. It was
Hercher 's service to have detected the prevalence
of glosses and interpolations, although in expelling
them he is conscious that some will think that he has
exceeded all bounds (Didot ed., Praef. p. ii). The
text here printed is substantially that of Hercher s
edition of 1864, and divergences from it are shewn
in the critical notes, which lay no claim to be ex-
haustive. In 1902 E. L. De Stefani made a survey
of the manuscripts in Continental libraries 1 and

1 The British Museum Burney MS 80 contains only excerpts
in a 16th-cent. hand ; there is no MS of the NA in Bodley or
in the Cambridge University Library, and I have not sought
, farther afield.

vii

PREFACE

sssssii-sss

«f Si,- D'Arcv Thompson, one of Greek Birds (2nd

Aelian's animals, and perhaps I shall be blamed tor
not following him more often than I have done. In
deterSg the modem equivalents and the
Sent™ ^ nomenclature of the fauna a,d flora of
AnHpnt Greece the oracles do not always speaK
t»h one voice, and the best that a layman can hope
far is whe^two or more interpretations have
pTesLSfthemselves, the result of his cho.ce may

Professor W 7 I-^B. Beveridge Professor F E

rt itMrVr'SSey 'Mr", f. it*™

But 2y hSvie.t obligations are^to Mr. A. S F Gow,
whoS'onsiderable portions of ^STc^
typescript, saved me from more blunders than 1 care

viii

PREFACE

to think of, and besides improving my English offered
a number of corrections to the Greek text which I
have gladly and gratefully adopted. The Syndics of
the Cambridge University Press have courteously
allowed me to reproduce two passages from an edition
of Nicander published by them in 1953.

A. F.S.

Camhridge,
1957.

ix

INTRODUCTION

Life

The life of Aelian has been sketched by his con-
temporary Flavius Philostratus (2nd-3rd cent, a.d.)
in his Lives of the Sophists (2. 31), and he is the
subject of a brief notice in 4 Suidas/ Claudius
Aelianus was born at Praeneste about the year
a.d. 170. He came of libertus stock and assumed the
name of Claudius. At Rome he studied under
Pausanias of Caesarea, a noted rhetorician and pupil
of Herodes Atticus for whom Aelian reserved his
chief admiration. Although a Roman, as he himself
is proud to assert (VH 12. 25; 14. 45), he obtained
such a mastery of the Attic idiom that he came to be
known as ' the honey-tongued or honey-voiced/
while his success as a declaimer was rewarded by
the bestowal of the title of Sophist (By the end of
the second century the term had ceased to bear any
philosophical implications and had come to denote
one who taught or practised rhetoric.) Neverthe-
less, mistrusting, it may be, his ability to maintain
his hold over pupils and audiences — for the demands
on a successful rhetorician were heavy— he devoted
himself to the writing of 1 history ' (r<p ^vyypa<j>eiv
irreOero, Phil.). He held the office of apx^pevs
presumably at Praeneste, but the greater part of
his time must have been spent in Rome, where he
had access to libraries and enjoyed the patronage of

xi

INTRODUCTION

the empress Julia Domna, who had gathered around
her on the Palatine a circle of learned men that
included Oppian, Serenus Sammonicus, Galen,
Sstratusfand others who figure in je^-
sophists of Athenaeus.i it was hxs boast that he had
rfever been outside Italy, had never been aboard a
ST and knew nothing of the sea-statements
which most readers will find no difficulty m _ accept-
ing. 2 He was over sixty years of age when he died,
unmarried.

Works

Besides the Be natura animaUum (to give it the
name by which it is commonly referred to) two
Xr wSrks by Aelian have survived-'E^oAa,
d YP oi«Ca h a literary exercise m the form of twenty-
four letters, vignettes of life in the country, some
with an erotic motive; and IWAr? ,aropia {Vana
Mstoria) in fourteen books, beginning with some
chapters on natural history, but consisting n the
mam of anecdotes historical and biographical, with
excursions into mythology, and a variety of other
tonics. The greater part as we have it seems to be
ffm tiie hand of alternator. It resembles the
Be natura animaUum in its deliberate avoidance of
any systematic order. Fragments of two treatises,
nipt ipovoias and Uepl BeCwv ivapyuw have been
i J. Bidez in Camb. Anc. Hist. 12. 613; see also Wellmann

U m oZl in a chapter borrowed who%fromA P K>n and
WeCaM (BM 1. 486) considers that Aehan !S smply tran-
Stag his authority. M. Croiset (Hist, de laht. gr. 5. 774)
St" this view; his explanation seems to me moon-
vincing.
xii

INTRODUCTION

preserved, most of them in * Suidas.' So far as we
can judge they were collections of stories illustrating
heaven's retribution on unbelievers. Aelian has some
bitter words for the scepticism of the Epicureans^
A bare mention is enough for two sets of epigrams
inscribed eW/c' AtXiavov, on * herms ' of Homer and
Menander which are supposed to have stood in
Aelian's house at Rome. 1

The De natura animalmm is a miscellany of facts,
genuine or supposed, gleaned by Aelian from earlier
and contemporary Greek writers (no Latin writer
is once named) and to a limited extent from his own
observation to illustrate the habits of the animal
world. We are of course prepared to encounter
much that modern science rejects, but the general
tone with its search . after the picturesque, the
startling, even the miraculous, would justify us in
ranking Aelian with the Paradoxographers rather
than with the sober exponents of Natural History.
Mythology, mariners' yams, vulgar superstitions,
the ascertained facts of nature — all serve to adorn a
tale and, on occasion, to point a moral. His religion
is the popular Stoicism of the age : Aelian repeatedly
affirms his belief in the gods and in divine Provi-
dence; the wisdom and beneficence of Nature are
held up to veneration; the folly and selfishness of
man are contrasted with the untaught virtues of the
animal world. Some animals, to be sure, have their
failings, but he chooses rather to dwell upon their
good qualities, devotion, courage, self-sacrifice,
gratitude. Again, animals are guided by Reason,
and from them we may learn contentment, control

1 See G. Kaibel, ed.j EpigramTnata Qraeca ex lapidibus
conlecta (Berol. 1878), nos. 1084-5.

xiii

INTRODUCTION

of the passions, and calm in the face of death
WW eoe ; bdow the surface. His primary object

3 .Cio» nature, a»d to . ™>pl«

,Wt co-ordinated, sometime, parataetie, eUu.e«.

resque, ai ^ technique while

A the ^ndlm^arting a moral W to
Ws m«atives may well have seemed to Aelian a
Jure way of gaining a like popularity with educated
TaZ^ Some nlffht find fault with his random

well aware, and in the Epihgue he defends nimsell
S the Plea that a frequent change of topic helps
to maintL the reader's interest and saves him
from boredom, But as to the perman. ,nt value o
his work he has no misgivings, and since fhilo
Satus informs us that his writings were much
Staked we may assume that they appealed to
Sated drcTes 7 in a way that the voluminous
and possibly arid compilations of grammarians did
not.

i See W. Schffiid, Der Atticisms, 3. 7 ff .

xiv

INTRODUCTION

Sources

The principal sources of the De natura animalium
have been investigated by Max Wellmann and Rudolf
Keydell in a series of articles which appeared in the
journal Hermes between the years 1891 and 1937.
Here it will be enough to state their conclusions and
to indicate some of the reasons for them.

That the name of Aristotle should occur over fifty
times in a work professing to deal with animals will
surprise no one. Yet it is certain that Aelian knew
Aristotle only at second hand through the epitome
of his zoological works made by Aristophanes of
Byzantium (3rd/2nd cent. B.C.). Even so there is
little enough of genuine descriptive zoology, and it
was not in any purely zoological work that Aelian
found his chief inspiration and guide. It is notice-
able how often his statements regarding the names,
habits, and characteristics of animals reflect in their
manner of presentation, their content and style, the
comments of scholiasts and writers like Athenaeus,
Clement of Alexandria, and Pollux, who took their
materials from grammarians. It became a manner-
ism with the scholars of Alexandria to cite Homer
whenever it was possible, and Aelian follows the
fashion, less (so it would seem) with an aim to estab-
lishing some fact of natural history than to proving
Homer's knowledge of the science. Specimens of
grammarian's lore meet us in the excursions into
etymology and lexicography, in the myths and pro-
verbs relating to animals, with their illustrations
from dramatists and poets, and in a wealth of other
matter which a professed zoologist would disregard
as being irrelevant. Aelian is not, like Athenaeus,

xv

INTRODUCTION

scrupulous in always naming his authorities, as we
3 see later, but from parallel passages m other
Sers rangTng from Plutarch and Athenaeus down
to the (5th cent, a.d.) in which Paniphito
is exwesslV named as being the source, Wellmann
"Xdes that the pattern ed the ^chief source for
Aelian was Pamphihis of Alexandria. He in his
tn hadTased his work upon that most
of grammarians Didymus, nicknamed X^«™£*
excepting and abridging into one work a number
of separate treatises by his forerunner. The title
% th? work is given by ' Suidas ' as Aeipvv, and he

r^kcellanv of ample scope embracing mythology,
naCal Story, and paJoxa or ' tales of wonder,

earlier Greek literature. In a number ot places
A™ has grouped together, more or less closely,
copters d Jved P from one and the same authority :
thus, 12. 16-20 come o from Democritus; 4 19, 21,

o« 7 ^9 W 41 46, 52 from Ctesias ; lt>. irom

it would seem that his exemplar was arranged partly
by animals and partly by authors hundred

Aelian has given us accounts of over one nunorea
accounts correspond with those
wh£h weH in Athenaeus ((9. 387f-397c), but smce
Aelian is generally more detailed, the resemblances
^e "be faced Jthe use of a common source % For
Athenaeus the principal authority on birds was that
besT of ^ all anLnt ornithologists, Alexander the

i WeUmaxm detects a hidden allnsion^to its title income
voids ofAelian's ^-it^^"!' ^

xvi

INTRODUCTION

Myndian,' 1 whom he cites more often than any
other writer on natural history, Aristotle alone
excepted, viz. thirteen times in Book IX and four
times elsewhere. Photius describes him as having
collected * a multitude of marvellous, even incredible,
tales from earlier writers touching animals, trees,
places, rivers, plants, and the like. 1 2 Aelian names
him five times, and in a chapter (3. 23) relating to
storks and their transformation into human beings
takes occasion to praise his knowledge and to express
his own belief in the story. It is not stretching
probability to see in Alexander the source for Aelian's
accounts of similar transformations (e.g. 1.1; 5. 1 ;
15. 29), and for much besides, whether of fact or
fable, regarding birds, their assignment to special
gods (1. 48; 2. 32; 4. 29; 10. 34-5; 12. 4; and cp.
Ath. 9.388a), their significance as omens (3. 9 ; 10.
34, 37 ; and cp. Plut. Marius 17, Artem. Oneir. 2. 66).
Nevertheless since Athenaeus and Aelian concur in
misrepresenting him on the spelling of ctkcqi/j, it may
be questioned whether they had direct access to his
writings and whether their common error is not due
to Pamphilus; see note oh Ael. 15. 28. In his
description of the KardyfiXeTrov (7. 5) Aelian differs
from the account given by Alexander in Ath. 5.
221b.

Among ancient writers who treated of poisons
and their antidotes the principal authority was
Apollodorus (3rd cent. B.C.). Two of his works, or
the essence of them, survive in the poems of Nicander.
But though Aelian on seven occasions adduces
Nicander as witness, there are discrepancies which

1 D. W. Thompson, Glossary of Greek birds, p. vi.

2 Fragments collected by Wellmann in Hermes 26. 546-55.

xvii

INTRODUCTION

preclude the idea of a direct use of the poet. There
are however indications that Aelian and the scholia
to Nicander drew from a common source. Aelian
states (9. 26) that the Agnus-castus, an antidote to
snakebites, was used at the Thesmophoria to ensure
chastity : the same note occurs m 2 Nic. Ih 71. In
9. 20 Aelian states on the authority of Aristotle
(Mirab. 841 a 27) that the 1 Pontic stone if burnt ex-
pels snakes : 2 Nic. Th. 45 cite the same passage In
§ 51 ' Sostratus,' we are told, ' describes the Dipsas
as white: Here Aelian has forsaken Apollodorus-
Nicander, who had written (TO 387) f™%+°«™
ae\alvera h and he then proceeds to tell the myth
of the Dipsas and the Ass, adding that it has been
treated by Sophocles (and other poets] :^ S Nic. Ih.
343 state specifically ' Sophocles ev (Clearly
I did not borrow from Aelian.) The story of the
Beaver and its self-mutilation is told by Aelian (6.
S) ; it is mentioned in 2 Nic. Th. 565, and Sostratus
is named as the authority for it. From AeL 4. 51
and 6. 37 we learn the &£ e ™
and according to S Ap. Bh. 1. 1265 and S

Theoc 6 28 the distinction was first noted by.
Sostratus, though Aelian is the first to mention it.
It seems then that Sostratus in his two works llepi
BXnrwv koX SaKerwv and Ilepc Cwcov treated of
insects as well as the lower animals and snakes As
a zoologist his reputation stood next to Aristotle,
and we are justified in assuming that both for Aelian
and for the scholiast on Nicander he was the source
for more than they have openly acknowledged, m
the case of Aelian for 1. 20-22; 6. 36-8; 9. 39;

^tlianhas much to tell us of elephants, both
xviii

INTRODUCTION

those of Libya and of India. Like Pliny (HN 8.
1-34) before him and like Plutarch in his De
solleriia animalium, Aelian has drawn extensively
upon Juba II, King of Mauretania (c. 50 b.c.-c.
a.d. 23). He was the first to maintain that the
elephant's tusks are horns and not teeth, and Aelian
follows him (8. 10 ; 11. 15 ; 14. 5). And since we learn
from Pliny (HN 5. 16) that he wrote about the Atlas
mountains and their forests, he is a likely source for
all that Aelian relates touching Mauretania, its
people, and its animals. The chapters on pearls
(15. 8) and on Indian ants (16. 15) are to be traced
to Juba's work De expeditione AraUca.

The knowledge which Aelian displays of Egypt and
its topography, its local traditions, customs, and
religious beliefs, especially those relating to birds
and animals, can come only from a writer well
acquainted with the land and its people. We are
given mystical and mythological reasons for the
reverence or detestation in which certain creatures
are held (10. 19, 21, 46) ; there are tales of wonder
ranging from the merely curious to the impossible ;
quotations from Homer are introduced into chapters
on Egyptian religion. The pattern fits Apion (1st
cent. a.d.). Born in the Great Oasis, he became head
of the Alexandrian school, was a Homeric scholar
and a pretender to omniscience. His Aegyptiaca
was a compilation dealing with the history and the
marvels of Egypt and was based upon earlier writers
with additions from his own experience. One such
there is which * every schoolboy knows,' the story of
Androcles and the Lion (AeL 7. 48). 1 Chapters on

1 A. Gellius 5. 14 [Apion] Hoc ... ipsum sese in urbe Eorm
vidisse oculis suis conjvrmaU

xix

INTRODUCTION

* ft l Q OK

depth of the sea

Opp. 1. 83-92

Aei. w. »>o

fish in the depths

145-54

dO

Exocoetus

155-67

Mussels

174-8

Pilot-fish

186-211

17

Remora

212-43

1 1

Q A.1

Crabs

285-304

y.

45

Octopus and fruit-trees

308-11

47

Sea-urchin

318-19

7 SI

Hermit-crabs

320-37

/• Ol

Q Oi.

Nautilus

338-59

4Q

Sea-monsters

360-72

rfci/
1 ^

Sharks

373-82

1 • OO

9. 50

Sea-calf, Whale, Sea

398-408

On

Flying fishes

427-37

53

fish gregarious

440-45

57

fish in winter and spring

f 446-72

00

generation of fish

' 473-501

6. 28

generation of Octopus

536-53

9. 66

Moray and Viper

554-79

10.2

period of procreation

584-90

4.9

migration to the Euxh*

s 598-611

10.8

Dolphin and young

660-85

1.17

Dog-fish and young

734-41

16

' Blue-fish 5 and young
Sprats

747-55

2. 22

767-97

In three of the above passages there can be little
doubt that Aelian has paraphrased Oppian : compare
Ad.S.SSwithOpp.l.H^

OS ;;

In both we find the same fishes in the same order,
and, what is most significant, since a P^-wnt- -
not bound by the exigences of met re, the sam us
now of the singular, now of the plural. These three
Iters cannot be separated from the other four-
teen so that it is at least likely that they too are
paraphrases of Oppian. Of the remammg rune

xxii

INTRODUCTION

passages some may have been derived from Oppian,
others more probably from a common source.

One such source was Leonidas of Byzantium. 1
From him Aelian derived the story of the friendship
between a boy and a dolphin at Poroselene (2. 6),
which recurs in Oppian (5. 448-518). In 2. 8 Aelian
tells how dolphins help men in the catching of other
fish, and a similar account is given by Oppian (5. 425-
47) : it is probable that both drew upon Leonidas.
A comparison of Aelian s two chapters on poisonous
fishes, 2. 44 and 50 (where Leonidas is named),
with Opp. 2. 422-505 points certainly to him as their
common source. Other passages indicate despite
differences that both made use of the same authority,
whether Leonidas or some other: compare

Ael. 1. 4 with Opp. 3. 323-6

5 (rpcoKrns) „ 144-8 (a/xia)

19 „ 2. 141-66

27 „ 241-6

30 „ 128-40.

The researches of Leonidas extended as far as the
Red Sea (Ael. 3. 18). For information on fishes in
western waters Aelian relied upon one Demostratus,
who differs from Leonidas in being independent of
any Aristotelian tradition and in concentrating upon
paradoxa. To him Wellmann would attribute the
accounts contained in Ael. 13. 23; 15. 9, 12; per-

i Keydell (Hermes 72. 430 ff.) put9 the date of Leonidas in
the 2nd cent, a.d, Leonidas is reported as having himself
seen the boy and dolphin; Pausanias (3. 25. 7) also was a
witness, and Oppian says that the memory of the event is still
fresh, for it happened ' not long ago but in our own generation,'
the last quarter of the 2nd century. Granting that it is
incredible that the boy rode upon the dolphin, the rest of the
tale may well be true.

xxiii

INTRODUCTION

S Vindobonensis med. gr. 7 s. xv

V Parisiensis suppl. gr. 352

[formerly Vat.gr. 997] s. xui

W Vindobonensis med. gr. 51 s. xiv
From these De Stefani selected seven only as possess-
ing: value for the constitution of the text, viz. A, * ,
H?L, P, V, and W, the remainder being copies oi one
or other of those seven.

Editions

1556 C. Gesner (Zurich F°). Ed. pr.

1611 P. Gillius and C. Gesner (Geneva, 16 ).

1744 Abraham Gronovius (London, 4°).

1784 J. E. G. Schneider (Leipzig, 8°).

1832 C. F. W. Jacobs (Jena, 8°).

1858 R. Hercher (Didot, Paris, la. 8 ).

1864 B. Hercher (Teubner, Leipzig, 8 ).
Gesner provided a parallel Latin translation which
was later revised by A. Gronovius and was repnnted
in all editions down to 1858. The only translation
into a modern language that I know <*JM£"*£
seen) is the German version by Jacobs (Stuttgart;,
1839-42). Gossen in 1935 announced that he had
ready for press a fresh translation equipped with fall
notes, indexes, etc., but I have not been able to
trace it.

Criticism

Cobet (C. G.). Novae lectiones (p. 780). Leyden,

VariJe'lectiones, ed.2 (pp. 131, 209, 341). .Ib.,
1873.

xxvi

INTRODUCTION

Cobet (C. G.). Aeliani locus [NA 1. 30] correctus.
Mnemos. 7 (1858) 340.
De locis nonnullis apud A. Ib. N.S. 12 (1884) 433.
Baehrens (W. A.). Vermischte Bemerkungen zur gr.

u. lat. Sprache [NA 7. 8], Gloita 9 (1918) 171.
De Stefani (E. L.). I manoscritti della Hist. Animal.
di Eliano. Studi ital difihl class. 10 (1902) 175.
Per Y Epitome Aristotelis De animalibus di Aristofane
di Bizanzio. Ib. 12 (1904) 421.
Goossens (R.). 1/ oSovrorvpawos, animal de 1' Inde,
chez Palladius. [See NA 5. 3.] Byzaniion 4
(1927-8) 34;

Gossen (H.). Die Tiernamen in A's ... II. £.

Quellen u. Stud. z. Gesch. d. Naturwissenschaften

u. d. Medizin 4 (1935) 280.
Grasberger (L.). Zur Kritik des A. Jb. f. class.

PkiloL 95 (1867) 185.
Haupt (M.). Conjectanea [NA 2. 22]. Hermes

5 (1871) 321.
Varia. 76.4 (1870)342.
Hercher (R.). Zu A.'s Thiergeschichte. PhiloL 9

(1854) 748.

Zu A/s Thiergeschichte. Jb. f. class. PhiloL 71

(1855) 450.

Aeiian, etc. PhiloL 10 (1855) 344.
Interpolationen bei A. Jb. f. class. PhiloL 72

(1856) 177.

Zu griech. Prosaikern. Hermes 11 (1876) 223.
Kaibel (G.). [A. and Callimachus.] Hermes 28
(1893) 54.

Key dell (R.). Oppians Gedicht von der Fischerei u.

A/s Tiergeschichte. Hermes 72 (1937) 411.
Klein (J.). Zu A. [NA 6. 21, 46; 12. 33]. Rhein.

Mus. N.F. 22 (1867) 308.

xxvii

INTRODUCTION

Meineke (A.). Zu griech. Schriftstellem [NA A. 12].

Radermacher (L.)- vana *

Zu fsyllos von Epidauros. [NA 13. 15-] «**

(1929) 374. . y j 3. ^ ian .

Thouvenm (P.). Untersuci *? /ifWfi 599.
(1930)58.

analyse des A. Hemes 26 (1891) 6£L.
Alexander von Myndos 26. 481. .

f^pfete. ». 51 (1916)1-

uiaiBou to the work. -J i» «« Prrfta, I

should mention:
xxviii

INTRODUCTION

Aristotle. Historia animalium [trans.] by D. JF.

Thompson, Oxf. 1910.
Keller (O.). Dze aniike Tierweli. 2 vols. Leipz.

1909-13.

Oppian . . . with an Engl, transl. by A. W. Mair.

(Loeb CI. Lib.) Lond. 1928.
Radcliffe (W.). Fishing from the earliest times.

Lond. 1921.

Saint-Denis (E. de). Vocabulaire des animaux
marins en Latin classique. (fitudes et commen-
taires, 11.) Paris, 1947.

Abbreviations used in the critical notes.
Cas[aubon, I.] Oud[endorp, F. van]

Ges[ner, C] Schn[eider, J. G.]

Gill[ius, P.] OSchn[eider, Otto]

Gron[ovius, A.] Valck[enaer s L. K.]

H[ercher 9 R.] Wytt[enbach, D.]

Hemst[erhu$ius, T.] add[ed by].

Jac[obs, C. F. W.] conj[ectured by].

Mein[eke s A.] del[eted by],

om\itted by].

xxix

AELIAN

ON THE CHARACTERISTICS
OF ANIMALS

VOL. I.

SUMMAKY

PltOLOGTJE

Book I

1 The Birds of Diomede

2 The Parrot Wrasse

3 The Mullet

4 The 4 Anthias.' The Parrot

Wrasse

5 The Gnawer and Dolphins

6 Animals in love with hu-

man beings

7 The Jackal

8 Nicias and his Hounds

9 The Drone

10 Servitors among Bees

1 1 Bees, their ages and habits

12 The Mullet, how caught

13 The ' Etna-fish,' its con-

tinence

14 The Wrasse, its paternal

instincts

15 The Wrasse, how caught

16 The * Blue-grey ' fish and

young

17 The Dog-fish and young

18 The Dolphin and young

19 The Horned Ray

20 The Cicada

2 1 The Spider and its web

22 Ants observe a day of rest

23 The S argue, how caught

24 Vipers and their mating

25 The Hyena

26 The Black Sea-bream

27 The Octopus

28 Wasps, how generated

29 The Owl

30 The Basse and the Prawn

31 The Porcupine

32 Mutual hostility of certain

fishes

33 The Moray

34 The Cuttlefish

35 Birds use charms against

sorcery

36 The Torpedo. The Hal-

cyon. Causes of numb-
ness

37 Protective and numbing

powers of certain herbs

38 (i) The Elephant, its love of

beauty and perfumes
(ii-iv) Various irritants

39 The Sting -ray, how caught

40 The Great Tunny

41 The ' Melanurus '

42 The Eagle, its keen sight

43 The Nightingale

44 Cranes bring rain

45 Vulture's feathers. The

Woodpecker

46 The Four-toothed Sparus

47 The Raven's thirst

48 The Raven in divination;

its eggs

49 The Bee-eater

50 The Moray and the Viper

51 Snakes generated from

marrow of evil-doers

52 The Swallow

53 The Goat, its breathing

54 Viper, Asp, etc., their bites

55 Sharks and Dog-fish

56 The Sting-ray

57 The Cerastes and the Psylli

3

SUMMARY

58 The enemies of Bees

59 A Bee-hive

60 The King Bee

Book II

1 Cranes, their migration

2 c Fixe -flies *

3 The Swallow

4 'Ephemera 1

5 The Asp. The Basilisk

6 Dolphin and boy at Poro-

selene

7 The Basilisk

8 Dolphins help fishermen

9 Deer and Snakes

10 Mating of Mare and Ass

1 1 Performing Elephants

12 The Hare

13 Fishes and their leaders

14 The Chameleon

15 The Pilot-fish

16 The 'Tarandus'

17 The Sucking-fish

1 8 Medicine in the Heroic Age.

Elephants and their
wounds

19 The Bear and its cub

20 Oxen of Erythrae

21 Snakes of Ethiopia and

Phrygia

22 The Sprat

23 The Lizard, its vitality

24 The Asp. Human spittle

25 Ants store grain

26 The Eagle and nestlings

27 The Ostrich

28 The Bustard and Horses

29 The Fly

30 The Cockerel, and how to

keep him

31 The Salamander

32 The Swan and its song

33 The Crocodile

34 The Cinnamon bird

35 The Ibis and clysters

36 The Sting-ray

37 The Shrew-mouse

38 The Ibis

39 The Golden Eagle

40 The Eagle and its keepers

41 The Red Mullet

42 The Falcon

43 The Kestrel. Hawks and

their eyesight. Hawks
of Egypt

44 The Rainbow Wrasse

45 The Sea-hare

46 The Vulture. The 'Aegy-

pius*

47 The Kite

48 Ravens of Egypt, of Libya

49 The Raven and its young

50 Poisonous fishes

51 The Raven, its daring,

voice, and diet

52 Viviparous animals

53 Hornless Cattle. Bees m

Scythia

54 The Parrot Wrasse

55 The Shark

56 The Mouse and its liver. A

shower of Mice, of Frogs

57 The Ox, man's benefactor

Book III

1 Lions of Mauretania

2 Horses of Libya. Hounds

of Crete and elsewhere

3 India devoid of Pigs

4 Ants of India

5 Tortoise and Snake. The

Pigeon, its conjugal fid-
elity. The Partridge, its
amorous nature

6 Wolves cross a river

7 Animal antipathies

8 Mares and foals

9 The Crow, its conjugal

fidelity. Owl and Crow

10 The Hedgehog

11 The Crocodile and Egyp-

tian Plover

SUMMARY

12 Jackdaws and Locusts

13 Cranes, their migration

14 Cranes give warning of

storms

15 The Pigeon

16 The Partridge and its

young

17 Jealousy in animals

18 The Inflater fish

19 The Seal

20 The Pelican. The Sea-

mew

21 A Bear and Lions

22 Ichneumon and Asp

23 Storks, their mutual affec-

tion ; transformation in-
to human beings

24 The Swallow and its nest

25 The Swallow and its young

26 The Hoopoe

27 No Lions in Peloponnese

28 The Perseus fish

29 The Pinna

30 The Cuckoo

31 The Cock feared by Basi-

lisk and Lion

32 Local peculiarities

33 The Asp. Nile water pro-

motes fertility in animals

34 A wonderful Horn

35 Partridges, their different

notes

36 The Grape-spider

37 Frogs in Seriphus

38 Local peculiarities

39 The Goatsucker

40 The Nightingale

41 The Unicorn's horn

42 The Purple Coot. The

Peacock

43 The Raven in old age

44 Ringdoves, their conjugal

fidelity

45 Pigeons and young; and

birds of prey

46 An Elephant and its keeper

47 Examples of incest

Book IV

1 The Partridge. Cretan

lovers

2 The Pigeons of Aphrodite
* at Eryx

3 Lion and Lioness

4 The Wolf

5 Animal enmities

6 The Horse

7 Example of animal incest

8 Groom in love with Mare

9 Fish in the mating season

10 Elephants worship the

Moon

11 The Mare

12 The Partridge, its young

13 The Partridge : three kinds

14 Marten and Snake

15 The Wolf, when full-fed

16 The Partridge as decoy

17 The Hedgehog. The Lynx

18 Objects poisonous to cer-

tain animals

19 The Indian Hound

20 Peculiarities of various

creatures

21 The Mantichore

22 The power of human spittle

23 The Willow. The Hem-

lock

24 The taming of Elephants

25 Oxen treading out the corn

26 Falconry in India

27 The Gryphons and the gold

of Bactria

28 The Turtle and its eyes

29 The Cock and its crowing

30 The Jackdaw

31 The Elephant, its anatomy

and habits

32 The Goats and Sheep of

India

33 The Chameleon and Snakes

34 The Lion

35 The Ox and its memory

36 The Purple Snake of India

5

SUMMARY

37 The Ostrich

38 The Sparrow

39 The Fox and Wasps

40 The Dog

41 The ' Dikairon '

42 The Francolin. The *

Guinea-fowl

43 The Ant. Greek festivals

44 Animals remember kind

actions

45 The story of a Lion, a Bear,

and a Dog

46 (i) The Lac insect
(ii) The Dog-heads

47 The Golden Oriole

48 How to check an angry Bull

49 The Leopard

50 The Horse, its eyelashes

51 The Gadfly. The Horse-fly

52 The Wild Ass of India

53 A calculating animal

54 Asp in love with a Goose -

herd

55 The Camel of Bactria

56 Seal in love with a Diver

57 The Water-snake, its bite

58 The Rock-dove. The

< Circe'

59 The Blue -fowl

60 The Chaffinch

Book V

1 The Ruff, the bird of Mem-

non

2 Crete hostile to Owls and

Snakes

3 A monstrous Snake in the

Indus

4 The Porpoise

5 The victorious Hen

6 A captured Dolphin

7 Monkey and Cats

8 Places hostile to certain

animals

9 The Cicadas of Locris and

Rhegium

10 Bees and their King

11 The King Bee. Character

of the Bee

12 The Bee, its industry

13 The Bee, its skill, its

colonies; as weather-pro-
phet ; its love of song

14 (i) Rats in Gyarus and

Teredon
(ii) Scorpions on mt Latmus

15 The King Wasp

16 The Wasp and its poison

17 The Fly

18 The Great Sea-perch

19 Wolf and Bull

20 The Hake

21 The Peacock

22 Mouse saved from drown-

ing

23 The Crocodile

24 The Bustard

25 The Lamb

26 The Monkey

27 Peculiarities of certain ani-

mals

28 The Purple Coot

29 Geese in love with hu-

man beings. Geese and
Eagles

30 The Egyptian Goose

31 Anatomy of the Snake

32 The Peacock

33 The Duck

34 The Swan and death

35 The Heron and Oysters

36 The 1 Asterias '

37 The Torpedo. The Great

Weever

38 The Nightingale

39 The Lion

40 The Leopard

41 Ruminants and their sto-

machs. The Cuttle-fish

42 Bees : various kinds.

43 The ' Day-fly '

44 The Cuttle-fish .

45 The Wild Boar

6

SUMMARY

46 Nature's medicines for ani-

mals

47 A Lizard regains its lost

sight

48 Animal friendships and

enmities

49 Animals' dislike of dead

bodies

50 (i) Confidence and fear in

animals

(ii) Animals suckling their
young

51 Various sounds made by

animals

52 Reptiles foretell the Nile's

< rise

53 The Hippopotamus

54 Leopard and Monkeys

55 The Elephant

56 Deer crossing the sea

7

AIAIANOY
nEPI ZQON IAIOTHT02

nPOOIMION

"Avdpamov pkv thai ao^ov /cat St'/catov Kal t&v
olKetwv WSoyvrrpoyi^OiGTaTOV, teal t&v yewapdvwv
TroieZadai ttjv irpooriKOVoav faovTiSa, Kal Tpojrqv
iavrcp jxacnevew Kal impovXds ^vXdrreaOat /cat ra
Xoma oca avTcp ovveon Bcbpa j>vo€Q>$, napdSogov
laws oiSeV- /cat yap Xoyov ixerecXrjxev^dvdpcoTTO?
rod rtdvTWV Tt/xta>raTOU 3 /cat Xoyiafiov ^iWat,
oa-rrep odv eWt iroXvapKeararos re /cat ttoXvw-
^eAe'araros- dAAa /cat Seovs alMaQai otSe /cat
cre/ktv. to Se /cat rot? dXoyois fiereimi twos
dpeTfjs /caret <£tW, x /cat -rroXXd twv dvBpwtrLvwv
7rXeov€KT7]ixdTO)v kol 6avfxaaTa Zx €LV ovyKeKXrjpa)-
piiva, tovto rjBrj fteya. /cat elSivai ye firj paOvjxws
Ta TTpooovTa avTcov t8ta e/caara), /cat^ ottcqs
iaTrovModrj ov /xetov rdV dvQpw-nwv Kal <rd> 2
aAAcov etT? av rtvos TreTratSev/xevTj? <j>pevos

Kal p,a8ovar}S 7roX\d. d)S p>ev ovv /cat jripois
VTTep tovtwv iairovhaarai , KaX&s otBa * iyw Se
[ejuavrai] 3 ratJTa ova olov tc rjv dOpotcras Kal
ircptpaXwv avrois tt)v ovviqdrj Xigiv, Kei[ir}Xiov ovk

1 <f>voiv Kal el pjr] koto. Tqv oUelav Kpiow.

8

AELIAN

ON THE CHARACTERISTICS
OP ANIMALS

PROLOGUE

There is perhaps nothing extraordinary in the fact
that man is wise and just, takes great care to provide
for his own children, shows due consideration for his
parents, seeks sustenance for himself, protects himself
against plots, and possesses all the other gifts of
nature which are his. For man has been endowed
with speech, of all things the most precious, and has
been granted reason, which is of the greatest help and
use. Moreover, he knows how to reverence and wor-
ship the gods. But that dumb animals should by-
nature possess some good quality and should have
many of man's amazing excellences assigned to them
along with man, is indeed a remarkable fact. And to
know accurately the special characteristics of each,
and how living creatures also have been a source of
interest no less than man, demands a trained in-
telligence and much learning. Now I am well aware
of the labour that others have expended on this
subject, yet I have collected all the materials that I
could ; I have clothed them in unteehnical language,
and am persuaded that my achievement is a treasure

<tc£> add. Jac.

3 [e^aurtS] del. H.

9

AELIAN

aorrovhavTov GKirovrjaai TrerrLarevKa. ^ el hi ro) ml
cDtiai ^aveirat ravra XvaireXr), xpwflfti aVTOLS [
orwhe ov faveZrat, idrw rw war pi Bakrreiv re Kai

7T€pL€7T€lV ' OV ydp TTIXVTO, TTaVl KoM^ OVOe a£ Wt

§oK€l oirovBdoai <navi -rrdvra. el Be hri ttoXXoZs
roZs Ttpcbrois koX oo$oZ$ yeyovapev, p\ earco
fytLiaypa is 1 enaivov rj rov xP° vov « fi 'mi

oLvrol GTrovBfjs a&ov pLdOrjfjLa irapexotiie8a koa rfj
evpioet, rfj rrepirroripa koX rfj $<ovfj,
1 eis mss always.

10

ON ANIMALS, PEOLOGUE

far from negligible. So if anyone considers them
profitable, let him make use of them; anyone who
does not consider them so may give them to his father
to keep and attend to. For not all things give
pleasure to all men, nor do all men consider all
subjects worthy of study. Although I was born later
than many accomplished writers of an earlier day, the
accident of date ought not to mulct me of praise, if
I too produce a learned work whose ampler research
and whose choice of language make it deserving of
serious attention*

ii

1. KoAetrcu tls Aio/^Setct vrjaos, Kal ipwhtovs
exet 7ToXkov$. o5rot, <£a<rt, tous fiapfidpovs ovre
aBiKovaw ovre avrols itpoolaow * eav 8e "EAA^v
Kardprj |eW, ot Se 0eia Ttvt Sajpea irpooiavi
trripvyas iirXwaavres olovel xetpa? vivas es
Se£iWiy re Kal TrepirrXoKas . fcai a-rrrofiivojv rcbv
'EXXrjvcov U7ro<£ez;youor«>, <xAA' drpefiovat kol
dvexovrah Kal Kadrjfievcov is rovs koXttovs Kara-
Trerovrai, cknrep ovv i-rrl £evia 1 kAtj0€j/t€S.
Xiyovrai ovv ovroi AtofjujBovs iratpot, etvai Kal
ovv avrcp ra>v ottAcdv rwv i-rrl rrjv "IAtov \ier-
eoxqKivai, elra rrjv TTporepav <j}vatv is to rcov op-
vldcov fjuera^aXovres elSos, opais ert Kal vvv Zia$v-
Xdrrew to etvai "EXArjves re Kal <S>iXeXXrjves*

2. e OK&pos rroas liev BaXarrlas crirelrai Kal
jSpua * Xayvlararos Se dpa IxOvcov ditdvraw fjv,
Kal ^ ye irpos to OrjXv aKopearos imOvfila avrw
dXcbcrecas atria ylverai. ravra odv avra} ovveyva>~
Kores ol cro<f>ol rwv dAieW, imrlQevrai oi rov
rpoTrov rovrov. orav OrjXvv crvXAdfiwow, ivih-qaav 3
opiua crrrdprov 7TeiT0i7jp,evrj Xeirrfj rod aroixaros
aKpov, kol imvvpovot, 8ta rrjs daXdrnqs rov IxOvv
£covra - laaai Be evvds re avrcbv kol 8iarpt,fid$ /cat

1 Gron :

14

8 ISijcrav,

BOOK I

1. There is a certain island called Diomedea, 3 and ^j^ 3 of
it is the home of many Shearwaters. These, it is said,
neither harm the barbarians nor go near them. If
however a stranger from Greece puts in to port, the

birds by some divine dispensation approach, extend-
ing their wings as though they were hands, to welcome
and embrace the strangers. And if the Greeks stroke
them, they do not ny away, but stay still and allow
themselves to be touched ; and if the men sit down,
the birds fly on to their lap as though they had been
invited to a meal. They are said to be the com-
panions of Diomedes b and to have taken part with
him in the war against Ilium ; though their original
form was afterwards changed into that of birds, they
nevertheless still preserve their Greek nature and
their love of Greece.

2. The Parrot Wrasse feeds upon seaweed and ^^rot
wrack, and is of all fishes the most lustful, and its in-
satiable desire for the female is the reason why it gets
caught. Now skilful anglers are aware of this, and

they set upon it in this way. Whenever they capture
a female, they fasten a fine line of esparto to its lip
and trail the fish alive through the sea, knowing as
they do where the fish lie, their haunts, and where

8 Mod. San Domenico, one of the three * Isole di Tremiti/
about 15 mi. N of the ' spur ' of Italy.

b King of Argos ; settled later in Daunia, where he died and
was buried in Diomedea.

*5

AELIAN

ottov ovvayeXd&VTai. fioXvfiSos oi avrois TTtirouq-
rai fiapvs rrjv oXktjv, TrepL^prjs to a^^a, Kal
£X €i H-y K °s Tpuov &aKTv\a)v } Kal SielXrjrrrat e£
aKpcov oxoivq) } Kal imcnSpei, 1 rov redrjpapJvov.
Kal Kvprov res rcov iv rfj 7Top6p,($i 7rapapT7]cra$
indyerai evpvv to arofjua, Kal is rov iaXwKora
rirparrrai uKapov 6 Kvpros * fiapzirai ^ Se i\av xq

OVTOS Xidcp {JL€p,€Tp7)tJL€VCp. OVKOVV oi dpp€VeS,

cQCTTTep ovv vvfi<f>r}V (bpLK7]V 2 veavlai Oeaadfievoii
olarpovvraL re Kal p,eradeovoi, Kal irrelyovrai
</>6duai dXXos aXXov kol yeveadai rrXiqutov Kal
Trapai/savaai, axnrep odv hvaepwres avdpamoi
^[Xrjfxa rj Kvta/xa drfpcJopuevoi, rj n dXXo /cAe/x/xa
ipwTLKov. 6 Tolvvv dyo>v rov drjXvv rjavxrj Kal
Tre<$>eiGp,ev<x>s, Xox&v re Kal iirifiovXevaiv ev9v rod
Kvprov ovv rfj ipa)fi4vrj, <$>aiy}$ dV, rovs ipaords
ayei. yevop,ivu>v he opiov rep Kvprcp, rov [ikv
pioXvfihov p,edf]K€V 6 drjparrjs is to loco 3 * o Se
dpa ifJLmTTTcov avv rfj oppuq Karacnrq Kal rov
QrjXvv, ovkovv ovveapevaavres eaXd)Kaai } kol Sc8o-
aai olk7]v opfjirjs d<$>pooiotov ravrrjv oi aKapoi.

3. f ix@vs 6 KefaXos rd>v iv rocs eXem
pLovvroov iorl, Kal irerrLorevrai rrjs yaarpos
Kpareiv Kal hacrdo-Qai Trdvv craxf>p6vQ)S- Jww 4
fikv yap ovk iirirLQeTai, dXXd rrpos 7rdvras rovs
1x9 vs evoiTOvhos etvai iri^vKev * orcp S* dv ivrvxTI

Kei\XeVW 9 TOVTO ol SeiTTVOV €CTTIV. OV TTpOT€pOV Oe

avrov TrpocrdTTTerai, 7Tplv rj rfj ovpq Kivrjcrai. Kat
drpefiovvros p<ev 6%et rrjv dypav, KivrjOivros oe
dv€X<oprjo-ev.

1 iinavpGTai. 2 Jac: iptonfrfv.

16

ON ANIMALS, I. 2-3

they assemble. They prepare a heavy leaden sinker
round in shape and three fingers in length ; a cord is
passed through both ends, and it trails the captured
fish after it. One of the men in the boat attaches to
the side a weel with a wide mouth ; the weel is then
turned towards the captured Wrasse and slightly
weighted with a stone of appropriate size. Where-
upon the male Wrasses, like young men who have
caught sight of a pretty girl, go in pursuit, mad with
desire, each trying to outstrip the other and to reach
her side and rub against her, just as love-sick men
strive to kiss or tickle <a girl) or to play some other
amorous trick. So then the man who is towing the
female gently and slowly and planning to entrap <his
fish), draws the lovers (as you might call them) with
the loved one straight towards the weel. As soon as
they come level with the weel, the angler lets the
lead weight drop into it, and as it falls in it drags the
female down with it by the line. And as the male
Wrasses swim in with her, they are captured and pay
the penalty for their erotic impulse.

3. The Mullet is one of those fishes that live in Em Mullet
pools and is believed to control its appetite and to
lead a most temperate existence. For it never sets
upon a living creature, but is naturally inclined to
peaceful relations with all fish. If it comes across
any dead fish, it makes its meal off that, but will not
lay hold upon it until it has moved it with its tail : if
the fish does not stir, it becomes the Mullet's prey ;
but if it moves, the Mullet withdraws.

slqw mss always.

* Cobet : £<t><o H.

17

AELIAN

4. Tt^o)pov<Jiv aAA^Aot? (bs dvdpo)7TOi moral Kal
uvarpXiruorat hUaioi oi IxQves, ovairep odv dvBlas
oi tt}? Oypas iirurrfjiioves rfs daXarrtas <f>iXovoiv
dvo^ew, Svras ra yjOr] TteXaylovs. TOtW yovv
Ikootoi, orav vorjaoxn re%>aff0at tov ovvvopov,
<npooveovoiv Jjicwrra, eha is clvtov rd vwra
drtepelhovai, Kal ifimmovres Kal (bOovfxevoi rfj
Swa/xet kcoXvovctlv eXKeadai.

Kal oi aK&poi he is rfv olKeiav dyeXrjv ^ elalv
dya9ol rifUopoL rrpocrtaaL yovv, Kal t^v opfxtdv
aTrorpayelv airevhovcriv , tva awaojoi tov ypyfievov
Kal TToXXaKis puev drroKS^avres evwaav Kal d^rjKav
iXevBepov, Kal ovk alrovai fajaypta- rroXXaKis ok
ovk ervxov, dXX ypaprov p£v, to h' oSv iavr&v

7T€7T0LrjKaOlV /XttAa TTpodvflOJS. 8e KOL €<?

tov Kvprov tov GKapov ipbTreaetv $aoi Kal to
ovpaiov iiipos tKfiaXelv, tovs he dOrjpdrovs Kal
-rrepiveovTas ivhaKeiv Kal is to e£w tov iraZpov
rrpoayayelv. el he itjelr] 1 to ar6>a, r&v rts oi 2
ega> rrjv oipdv iraptopegev, 6 he ireptxavcbv rjKoXov-
Orjvev. ovroi puev hrj ravra hp&oiv, a> 3 av9pa>Trot>
fyiXelv ov fxaOovres, dXXa rre^vKores,

5. '0 IxQvs 6 rpwKTTjs, tovtov }iev KarrjyopeZ
<rqv <t>vcnv Kal to ovojua, TjSrj he^Kal to OTO><r
ohovres he avTcp ovvex&$ re ip-Tre^vKaai /cat
ttoAAoi, Kal irai? to iyL-rreaov hiarefxetv ev fidXa
KaprepoL ovkovv dXovs dyKtarpq) p,6vos Ix^vcov is

1 i&M Kara. 2 J™ : rig o. 3 Jac : J>s.

18

ON ANIMALS, L 4-5

4. As loyal men and true fellow-soldiers come to The
one another's aid, so do the fish which men skilled in lAnttuas
sea-fishing call Anthias; a and their haunts are the

sea. For instance, directly they are aware that a
mate has been hooked, they swim up with all possible
speed ; then they set their back against him and by
falling upon him and pushing with all their might
try to stop him from being hauled in.

Parrot Wrasses too are doughty champions of their The Parro
own kin. At any rate they rush forward and make ^ rasse
haste to bite through the line in order to rescue the
one that has been caught. And many a time have *
they cut the line and set him free, and they ask for no
reward for life-saving. Many a time however they
have not contrived to do this, but have failed in spite
of having done all they could with the utmost zeal.
And it has even happened, they say, that, when a
Parrot Wrasse has fallen into the weel and has left
his tail-part projecting, the others that are swimming
around uncaught have fixed their teeth in him and
have dragged their comrade out. If however his
head was projecting, one of those outside offered his
tail, which the captive grasped and followed. This,
my fellow-men, is what these creatures do: their
love is not taught, it is inborn.

5. Of the fish known as the * Gnawer ' 6 its name ^ Gnawer
and, what is more, its mouth declare its nature. Its

teeth grow in an unbroken line and are numerous
and so strong as to bite through anything that
comes their way. Therefore, when taken with a

* Unidentified.

6 Perhaps the fox-shark; see Thompson, Oh. fishes, s.vv.

*9

AELIAN

to IfmaXw iavrov ovk i<rravdy€i, dXXd wOeirai
rr)v opiiiav aTroOplcraL 1 Sii/jwv. oi hi dXiets aoc^Cov-
rat rdvavrta- rds ydp roi rwv ayiclarpav Xafias^
X a\K€vovrai puaKpds. 6 hi (koi yap ttws jari /cat
aArtKO? ) Kal virep ravras dvidope rroXXaKts k<xi
rr)v rpi%o> rr]v dyovaav rc^a>v is i)Bt] ra rwv
lydvcov ad8i$ amv7jx €Tal - oSr6$ TOi * al T
Xwv rr)v avwofjiov TrapaXafiwv avv avrois €K€lvols
ywpel Kal rols heXfaaiv 6>oW Kal ha diroKpi-

Oivra TTOJS 7T€pi€\d6vT€S €ira €mTl'0€VT<U t£ %HO>

Kaprep&s' boat, ydp Sri ra>v i£ avrwv hrjyadrcov
ov paBip^s iira&i. oi uev ydp fyovrai avrov Kai
adXa iyKparcos, 6 hi avairqda Kal Kvpicrra, Kat
<L$ vrrd rrjs dhvvrjs orpefiXovrai hieXeyx^ar
dTrpli; ydp ip,(f>vvres owetjaipovrai rrqh&vros. Kai
6 aiv drroaetaaaBai Kal diroKpovaai arrevhei
avrovs, oi hi ovk dvcaavv, dXXd ioBlovoi t&vra.
dra pJvroi 6 n dv eWro<r p,£pos iKrpdyr), rovro
i X cov aTraXXdrrerar Kal 6 heX&s dcxp,€Vtos
d7TovrjX €Tai > hairvp,6vas, (hs dv elirois, aKXrjrovs
ear ideas ovv rfj iavrov ohvvrj iKeCvovs*

6. TXavK7]s aKova> rijs KtBapcphov ipaoBryai
Kvva- oi hi ov KiSva, dXXd Kpiov dXXot hi yfiva.
Kal iv SoAot? hi rrjs KaAikmw 4 ira&os, & ovopa
r)v Eevo<j>&v 3 kvwv rjpdoBrj' dXXov Si 5 <hpaiov
utipaKiov iv HirdprQ koXoios hrl rep etSei ivoarjvev.

1 arroBepiaat.

3 Jac : etra /xeVrot rovro on...

4 rots KtAt/aW.

5 /cat aAAou.

20

ON ANIMALS, I. 5-6

hook, it is the only fish that does not attempt to
withdraw, but presses on in its eagerness to cut the
line. Fishermen however counter this by a device :
they have their hooks forged with a long shank.
But the Gnawer, being a powerful jumper in its way,
often leaps above the shank, and cutting the hair-line
that is drawing it, swims away again to the places
where fish haunt.

It also gathers round it a shoal of its fellows and
with them also makes an attack upon the Dolphins, and
And if one chance to get separated from the rest, Dol P hills
the Gnawers surround it and then set upon the
creature furiously, knowing as they do that the Dol-
phin is by no means insensible to their bites. For
the Gnawers cling most tenaciously to it, while the
Dolphin leaps upwards and plunges ; and it shows
how it is being tormented by the pain, for the
Gnawers that have fastened upon it are lifted out of
the water with it as it leaps. And while the Dolphin
struggles to shake them loose and beat them off,
they never relax their hold, but would eat it alive.
Then however when each Gnawer has bitten away
a piece, they go off with their mouthful, and the
Dolphin is thankful to swim away after having fed
its uninvited guests (if one may so call them) to its
own pain.

6. I am told that a dog fell in love with Glauce the-A^mai^a
harpist. Some however assert that it was not a dog human
but a ram, while others say it was a goose. And at bein s s
Soli in Cilicia a dog loved a boy of the name of
Xenophon; at Sparta another boy in the prime of
life by reason of his beauty caused a j ackdaw to fall
sick of love.

21

AELIAN

7. Kiyovai tov Q&a to £6>ov faXavBpwTTOTaTOv
etvat. Kal orav ttov ircpvrvxQ dv8pa>ir<p,
e/croeWai avrov, olov alhovpevos- orav be
doiKOvp,evov Ocdcqrai v*rf aXXov O-qplov, to <rqvi-
KavTa €7rafJLVV€i avrw.

8. Nt/a'as rts" t&v avyKW7]y€TOVvro)v 1 djrpoo-
tttcds Trapafcpofievos 2 e? dv6paK€VTcov Kap,ivov
KaryjvexOr], oi Se Kvves oi ovv ^ avra> rovro
loovres ovk drriarrjaav, dXXa ra ^ /*ev w/wDra
KW^wpuevoi irepl rrjv Kapivov Kal wpvojievoi Sterpt-
£ov, ra Se reAevrata ' /xovovovx* tow irapiovras
rjpepia Kal w^etofceW twv tpxriW Sa/c-
vwrcy eEra elA/cov em to 7ra0o<r, olbv cwweorfjoow tw
SeGTrorr) irapaKaXovvres robs dvdpw-irovs oi kvvcs.
koX yovv ets opcbv to ytvopevov VTrwirrevae to
ovfift&v, Kal r}KoXov9<r]G€ koi evpe tov Nifa'av eV rfj
Kapulvw KaTa<f>Xex64vTa, £k t&v Aet?/rava>v ov^aXwv
to yevopuevov .

9. ( Kr}<f>rjv 6 iv fieXirrais yewcbfievos pcd*
rjpuipav fjuev eV rots dvdpiqvlois KaraxiicpvirraA,
vvKToyp Se, rjVLKa dv Trapa^Aaffl KaOevhovaas jas
fxeXiTTas, iTTi<i>oiTa roi$ epyois avr&v Kal Au/zaive-
rat rots aipfiXois- tovto e/cetvat Karapadovaai, at
puev nXeforai twv ^Xlttwv Kadevoovaiv are neirov-
Tj/cmat, oXlyai Se avTcov iXXox&aw. elra oVav
eAcocrt tov tjiwpa, Tralovatv avrov Tre^eto-^eVcoff *at
efaBovoi? Kal iKfidXXovai, <j>vydoa etvac. o Se
ouS' ovtw TTCTTaloevrar >rre<j>VK€ yap Kal dpyos k<xi
Xixvosy 8vo KaKcb. e£a> roLwv t&v Kiqplojv eavTOV
amicpvirrei, elra orav em ras vofxds igoptifewaiv

22

ON ANIMALS, I. 7-9

7. Men say that the Jackal is most friendly dis- The Jackal
posed to man, and whenever it happens to encounter a

man, it gets out of his way as though from deference ;
but when it sees a man being injured by some other
animal, it at once comes to his help.

8. One Nicias unwittingly outdistanced his fellow
huntsmen and fell into a charcoal-burners' furnace.
But his hounds, which saw this happen, did not leave
the spot, but at first remained whining and baying
about the furnace, until at length, by just daring to
bite the clothes of passers-by gently and cautiously,
they tried to draw them to the scene of the mishap,
as though the hounds were imploring the men to
come to their master's help. One man at any rate
seeing this, suspected what had occurred and fol-
lowed. He found Nicias burned to death in the
furnace, and from the remains he guessed the truth.

9. The Drone, which is born among bees, hides The Drone
itself among the combs during the day, but at night,

when it observes that the bees are asleep, it invades
their work and makes havoc in the hives. When the
bees realise this (most of them are asleep, being
thoroughly tired, though a few are lying in wait for
the thief), directly they catch him they beat him,
not violently, and thrust him out and cast him forth
into exile. Yet even so the Drone has not learnt his
lesson, for he is naturally slothful and greedy — two
bad qualities ! So he secretes himself outside the
combs and later, when the bees fly forth to their

KVV7]y€T0VVT<A>V. 2 <f>€pOfl€VOS.

8 e£ct>8ovoi rols rrrGpois.

23

AELIAN

al [xeXirrai, 6 Be (hadfievos eaw to iavrov Spa,
epL^opovpLevos Kal KepatCcDV €/cetvo? rov Brjaavpov

TCOV fMtXlTTWV TOV yXvKVV. Kal €K€lv<U €K T7j$

vofxrjs VTrocrrpeifsacrac, orav avrtp 7r€pirvx w<Jt,v > ev~
ravOa puev ovKen Tre^eLcrfievcos avrov iralovaiv,
ouS' oaov is <f>vyrjv rpei/jai, dAAa efi fidXa 1 /JiaiW
epb-rreoovaai BiaXo&ot, rov Xrjarrjv /cat ov /^/XTrrqv
vrroixdvas rrjv Ttftco/nW, virep rrjs yaarpcfxapylas
Kal dBrj^aytas rfj foxS * enaev. fxeXirrovpyol
Xeyovac ravra, Kal £p,€ ireLOovaiv.

10. Etat Be rives Kal ev rats [leXlrrais apyol
/xeAtrrat, ov p,rjv Krj(f>rjvd)Beis tov rpoirov^ ov yap
Xvpiatvovrai rots Krjplois ovB 9 im^ovXevovac rai
jaeAm affrat, aAAa rpifovrat, 3 €K rtbv av0eW *al
afirai <rrerop,evat Kal cvvvofioi rats aAAats- ovaai.
el Be Kal etW are^vot rrepl rrjv ipyacrlav Kal rrjv
KOfjuBrjv rrjv rov fieXiros, aAAa yovv ovk elalv
drrpaKrot Trdvrrj. at fxev yap avrcov vBcop ^rep
fiaatXei KoplCovcri Kal rats vrpeofivrepaLS Be, alrrep
odv 4 rq> paaiXet 7Tapap,evovat Kal is rrjv Bopv<j>o-
plav direKpiQ^aav rrjv avrov* erepau 8e avrcov 5
exovaiv eKelvo epyov, ras atroOvriGKOvaas rwv
fieXirrcov e%a> cfrepovat,' Set yap avrats KaSapa
thai rd K7)pta, Kal ovk ave^ovrat veKpdv^ eaw
fieXirrav dXXat Be 6 vvKrcap <f>povpov<nv t warrep
ovv ttoXlv puKpdv <j>vXdrrovuai rrjv rwv Krjplojv
OLKoBop,lav eKeivat ye,

11. MeAtTTcSv Be rjXiKiav Biayvolf] n$ dv rov
rpoTTOV rovrov. at puev avroerels onXitvai re eiai

1 e5 /aaAa rots Ktvrpois. 2 "jv ipvxn*-

24

ON ANIMALS, I. 9-1 1

feeding-grounds, pushes his way in and does what is
natural to him, cramming himself and plundering the
bees' treasure of honey. But they on returning from
their pasturage, directly they encounter him, no
longer beat him with moderation nor merely put him
to flight, but fall upon him vigorously and make an
end of the thief. The punishment which he suffers
none can censure: he pays for his gluttony and
voracity with his life.
This is what bee-keepers say, and they convince me.

10. Even among Bees there are some which are Bees and
lazy, though they do not resemble drones in their duties™*
habits, for they neither damage the combs nor have
designs upon the honey, but feed themselves on the
flowers, flying abroad and accompanying the others.

But though they have no skill in the making and the
gathering of honey, at any rate they are not com-
pletely inactive,, for some fetch water for their king
and for their elders, while the elders themselves
attend upon the king and have been set apart to
form his bodyguard. Meanwhile others of them have
this for their task : they carry the dead bees out of
the hive. For it is essential that their honeycombs
should be clean, and they will not tolerate a dead
bee in the hive. Others again keep watch by night,
and their duty is to guard the fabric of honeycombs
as though it were some tiny city.

11. A man may tell the age of Bees in the follow-

ing way. Those born in the current year are glisten- eir agea

rpd<f>ovraL yt,4v.

aXir<-p odv at irpeofivrepai Kal azSrat ru> jS,

avrcov rcov aT€xy<av^ 6 QUI : dAAd Kal.

25

AELIAN

Kal eoUaaiv eXaicp r^v xpoav x * at he irpeafivrepai
rpax^at Kal Ihetv Kal rrpomfsavcrai 2 yCvovra^
pvaal he opcovrai hid to yrjpas* epjreiporepai he
elaiv avrai Kal rexviKmrepai, iraihevoavros aura?
rrjv em rep pueXin aofaav rov xpovov. expvai he
Kal p,avTiKW$, ware Kal verwv Kal Kpvovs eTTihrjfiLav
TTpofMadetv Kal orav rovraw to erepov Jq Kal
d/x^oVepa eaeadat avp,pdXa>aiv, ovk irrl firjKiorov
eKretvovai rrjv <Trrr)oiv? aAAa TTepirrorwvrai to£t
apirjveai, Kal olovel rrepiQvpovaiv. €K hr) rourtov 01
tieXtrrovpyol otajwadfievoi 7TpoXeyovai rots yewp-
yois rrjv p,eXXovaav emhrjiiiav rov x^f vo f-
hoiKaoi he apa ov roaovrov to Kpvos at jieXirrai,
ooov rov opifipov rov rroXvv Kal rov vi<f>erov. evav-
rlai he rroXXaKis rov irvevfiaros rrerovrai, Kal fipa-
Xeiav Xidov ev rots rroal Kop,l£ovai Kal roaavrqv
oarjv ev<j>opov avrais Treropievais elvai, Kal rporrov
nva rovro eppa iavrats imrexvwvrai npos rov
ifiTTLTrrovra dvepiov rd re dXXa Kal tva p,rj rrapar-
pii/jrj rfjs ohov rj avpa avrds.

12. "Epairos he laxvv Kal IxOvojv yevrj rroXXa
eyvoy, rod roaovrov Oeov [Arjhe rovs Kara} Kal h>
rep f$v9w 4 rrjs BaXdrrrjS vrrepihovros Kal aTt/xa-
aavros. * Xarpevei yovv rathe rep halpovi^ Kal
Ke<t>aXos, dXX* ov rras, eKeivos he ovrrep odv euro
rov 6£eo$ rrpoacorrov KaXovaiv ol yevrj re /cat
hiacf>opd$ IxBvwv KareyvatKores . dXiaKovrai he, to?
aKOva), rrepl rov koXttov rov 'AxaiVov rroXXoi. ^ Kal
rrjs p,ev Kar avrovs aXcoaeojs hia<j>opoTt}s earu*
lidXiara he avrcov to Xvrrwhes to is rd dj>pohiaia

1 xpotav. 2 Qron : fyaoBai. 3 irrrjaiv 4k t^s vo^s.
26

ON ANIMALS, I. 11-12

ing and are the colour of olive oil ; the older ones are

rough to the eye and to the touch and appear

wrinkled with age. They have however greater

experience and skill, time having instructed them in

the art of making honey. They have too the faculty prophets'*"

of divination, so that they know in advance when rain

and frost are coming. And whenever they reckon

that either or both are on their way, they do not

extend their flight very far, but fly round about their

hives as though they would be close to the door.

It is from these signs that bee-keepers augur the

approach of stormy weather and warn the farmers.

And yet Bees are not so afraid of frost as they are

of heavy rain and snow. Often they fly against the

wind, carrying between their feet a small pebble of

such size as is easy to carry when on the wing.

This is a device which they use to ballast themselves

against a contrary wind, and particularly so that the

breeze may not deflect them from their path.

12. Even among fishes there are many kinds The Mullet
which know how strong is love, for that god, powerful oS) 7a "
as he is, has not ignored and disdained even the
creatures that dwell below in the depths of the ocean.
One at any rate that pays service to this god is the
Mullet, but not every species, only that to which
men who have observed the different species of fish
have given a name derived from its sharp snout.
These, I am told, are caught in great numbers round
about the Gulf of Achaia, and there are various ways
of catching them. But the following method of
capture proves how madly amorous they are.

iv t<5> Bv8q> Kal Kara). 6 Sai/xow'aj.

27

AELIAN

Kar-qyopel rj$e rj ay pa. drjpdaas dvrjp dXtevs
OrjXvv, 1 teal ivSrjoas 2 KaXdficp fiaKpcp rj arraproj
kocI tovto) p,aKpcp, Kara ttjs yoyos fjavxrj fiahlfav
Ttapavrtfp\k<iVQV tov IxOvv Kal darralpovra eircvvper
Kar ix Via ^ oArov tis eWcu <f>£pa)v SIktvov^ Kal
to peXAov ottyj re Kal ottcos aTTavr-qcreTai foXdrrei
(^lXottovcos 6 SiKTVtvs ovtos . ovkovv r) fiev ayerai,
orroooi Se av i'Stoat rebv dppivcov, ota^jov veavtai
aKokaaroi fielpaKos Trapadeovarjs e$ pdXa wpwfjs
i7TO(f>6aXpndaavT€S, levrai Kara \d£w 3 olarpoy^e-

VOl. 6 TOWVV TO hlKTVOV €XO)V pWTTCt TOV fioXoV y

/cat TToXkdKis lyUw eveppCa irepirvyxdvei Trj jrjs
iTTiBviilas opfijj Trpocrepxopwayv, Bel Se ra> irpdira^
dypaTfj ttjv alpeOelaav wpatav re etva^Kat ev
yjicovaav aapK&v, ha Kal rrXdovs in avTTjv opfirjaco-
viv, to Trjs copas tyoXKOv MXeap Xaf$6vT$$. f €L Se
aaapKog eh), ol rroXXol wrep^povrjaavres q>X ov ™
dmoVre?- Saris Se avrchv ian hvaepws^ ovk
aTraXXdrrerai, ov rfj wpa, /xa Ai'a, dXXd rq> rrjs

13. ^Haav Be apa Kal cra)<j>pov€iv faBves ayaOoL
6 yovv alrvaios ovra) Xeyopevos, irrav Trj iavrov
ovwopicp olovel yafxerfj nvi avvBvavdeh KXypwar)-
rai to 'Xexos, aXXrjs ox>x aTrrerdi, Kal ov Setrat
avpbpoXalwv is ttIotw, ov rrpoiKos, ovoe prqv SeSowce
KaKcbaews BUr]v 6 alrvaios y ovSe cu'SetTOU £dAa>va.
ai vopuoi yevvaioL Kal TroXvaepivoi^ ots aKoXauroi
dvdpco7TOL ovk alBovvrai p,r) TrelOeaOat.

1 dijXvv €K T&vSe xtyaXov. 2 Meishe :

3 Kara rrjv vrj£iv. 4 Mein : TroAeis ae/ivai.

28

ON ANIMALS, I. 12-13

A fisherman catches a female Mullet and fastens it how caught
to a long rod or a cord (this too must be long) ; as he
walks slowly along the sea-shore he draws the fish,
swimming and gasping, after him. In his footsteps
there follows one with a net, and this net-fisherman
watches diligently to see what is going to happen
and where. So the female Mullet is towed along,
and all the males that catch sight of her, like (one
might say) licentious youths ogling a beautiful girl
as she hurries by, come swimming up, mad with
sexual desire. Thereupon the man with the net
casts it and frequently has good luck, thanks to the
urgent lust of the fish that approach. It is essential
for the first fisherman's purpose that the captured
female should be at her prime and well-fleshed, so
that a greater number may be ardent after her and
may take the bait which her enticing beauty offers.
But should she be lean, most of them will scorn her
and go away. Still, if any one of them is madly in
love, he will not leave her, because he has been
enslaved not by her beauty (that I will swear) but
by his desire for sexual intercourse.

13. It seems however that fish are also models of The
continence. At any rate when the ' Etna-fish \ a as H na " s
it is called, pairs with its mate as with a wife and
achieves the married state, it does not touch another
female; it needs no covenants to maintain its
fidelity, no dowry ; it even stands in no fear of an
action for ill-usage, nor is Solon 6 to it a name of
dread. What noble laws, how worthy of veneration !
—And man, the libertine, feels no scruple at dis-
obeying them.

* Unidentified. b See 2. 42 n.

29

AELIAN

14. 'Kocrov<f>cp Sk tco daXarrlw rjOrj T€ /cat Starpt-
fial at rrirpai Kal at a^payyaiSet? VTroSpofxat.
yapbovai Be oStol eKaGTOS troXXds, /cat tcov ottlov
olovel daXdpucov (rats} 1 vvp,<f>aLS d^tWavrat. koX

TOVTO pLeV TO TOV ydpLOV BpVTtTlKOV KoX TO is TToXXds

%X €lv T7 ? J ' oppfy vevefJLTjfJbdvqv <j>alr}s 2 av elvai Tpv-
<f>tbvTtov is evvrjv fiapfidpoov teal, (bs av el-nois avv
TratSta airovhaaas, ftiov MrjSiKov Te koX UepaiKOV.
eart Se XyQvtov t^XoTOTTcoTaTos Kal ttjv dXXcos
p,ev, z oz>x yKiara Be orav at w/x^at tIktloow avTCp.
el he XapuvpcoTepov ravra tt} /cara^p^^ 4 tcov
ovopidTOiV etp-qTcu, SIBcoaiv rjpuv to, e/c Trjs <f>voeco$
TrpaTTopueva ttjv tcov tolovtcov i^ovoiav. at pev
yap cohtveov 07877 ireipcbp,evai rjpepiovorl T€ Kal kvBov
fievovcrw, 6 Be apprjv, ota Brjirov yaftenjs, irepSvpwv
ras imfiovXds <f>vXaTTec Tas egcoQev </>6f$a> tcov
j3pecf>cov. eoiKe yap /cat ret p,r)7rco yevvcofxeva <f>iXew
Kal Beei TTorpiKcp dXtaKopievos ivrevdev oppcoBeiv
77877, Kal Sirjfiepevei pukv irrl Trj 4>povpa irdvTWv
ayevOTOS, Kal rj cfypovrls avTov Tpe<£et* BelXys Be
o^ta? yevopbeviqs a^€trat Trjs dvdyKrjs TrjcrBe, /cat
yLaoTevei Tpo(f>r)v y Kal ovk cm^et avTrjs. Kal
€/ca<7T7? Se apa evpivKei tcov evBov, evre in chhtaiv
etrj etre 77S77 Xexco, </>v/cta iroXXd tcov iv tois 6-rrais
Kal rrepl Tas TreTpas, a oi Bei7rv6v eartv.

15. 'EmfiovXeveiv 5 Koaav^co 6 Beivos dXcevs
i^apfioaas dyKioTpco puoXv/ZBov fiapvv Kal evelpas
tco dyKiOTptp /captSa (jLeydXyv KaBlrjcn to SeAeap.

1 <rats> add, E. 2 ^al-qv most MSS.

3 rqvaXkoiS A, koX ahXoiS pzv o8v most MSS,

4 Kayser : Kpdaei,

3°

ON ANIMALS, I. 14-15

14. The Wrasse has its haunts and resorts among The wrasse
the rocks and near cavernous burrows. The males

all have many wives and resign the hollow places, as
though they were women's chambers, to their brides.
This refinement in their mating, and the propensity
which they enjoy for. having many wives one might
describe as characteristic of barbarians who luxuriate
in the pleasures of the bed, and (if one may j est on
serious subjects) as living like the Medes and Per-
sians. It is of all fishes the most jealous at all times,
but especially when its wives are producing their
young. (If by excessive use of these expressions
I make my discourse too wanton, the facts of
nature permit me to do things of that sort.) So the
females which are actually facing the strain of birth-
pangs remain quiet in their homes, while the male,
after the manner of a husband, stays about the
entrance to prevent any mischief from outside, being
anxious for his offspring. For it seems that he loves
even those that are yet unborn, and it is his fatherly
concern that causes him these early fears ; he even
spends the whole day without touching food : his care
sustains him. But as the afternoon grows late, he
relinquishes his forced watch and seeks for food,
which he does not fail to find. But of course each of
the females within, whether in the act of giving birth
or after it, finds a quantity of seaweed in the hollow
places and about the rocks, and this is their meal.

15. A fisherman who is skilled in angling a Wrasse j^^o*^'
fastens a heavy piece of lead to his hook, wraps owcaug
round it a large prawn, and drops the bait. And then

5 Jac : imfiovAzvcov. 6 Koaovfov 6-qpa.

31

AELIAN

Kal 6 fjuev vttokwzZ TTjv oppLidv iyelpcov re Kal
Brjytov is rr}V Tpo<f>rjv to 07/pa/xa, rj Kapis Se kwov-
\iivt] etra fxevTOt $6£av rtva dVooreAAet fjLeXAovcrrjs
is tols onds ras rov Koaav<j>ov Trapiivai. rto Be
dpa tovto €x8lgtov* Kal Bid ravra atodavofjuevos,
cos e%et dvfjiov, 1 terat d<f>avl£eiv rrjv iyQiaT7\v 2 (ov
yap ol fiiXtL rfjs yaarpos rrjviKavra), Kal avvOXd-
aas avrrjv dTraAAarreraij TTpoTifxoTepov Tpcxf>fj$ Kal
Trpe&pvrepov to p,r) fcara/cot/xtcrat ttjv </>vXaKrjv tt€tti-
ot€vkojs etvai. rwv Se oXXojv otclv tl fAeXArj rwv
TTpooTWTTOVTOJV iaOUw, V7ro6Xdaas etra eiaae
KeloBar Kal lBd>v t€9vt)k6$, z i£ avTod Tpwyei
ol Se diqXeis Koaov<f)Oi, iojs ju-ev dppeva opcoat irpo-
aaiTL^ovTa, &>$ av ewrotff, \iivovuiv evhov Kal to
T7)s otKovplas <f>vXa.TTOVGL 0^77/xa • oTav Se d</>avt-
crdfj, dXvovaiv atSe, Ttpodyei T€ avTas Kal i^dyei rj
dOvfjiia Kal ivravda iaXwKaai. tL irpos ravra
(oty 4 rroirjTal Xiyovaiv ol tt\v re EvaSvTjv rjfuv

T7]V "I<f>lBo$ Kal TTJV "KXk^OTW TTjV YlcXlOV TTOcSa

ivSo^ws OpvXovvTes 5 ;

16. Ilar^p Se iv l%6vcnv 6 yXavKOS otos ecrrt.
ret yewdyfxeva €K ttJs avvvopiov 7rapa<f>vXaTT€C 6

1 TOV OvflOV.

3 t€$vt]k6s ore fir) anatpei.

4 <ot> add, Jac.

5 Haupt : 8pr]vovvT€s.

6 Schn : irapafoXdrrerai.

° Evadne, wife of Capaneus, one of the * Seven against
Thebes.' He was slain by Zens, and when his body was on
the funeral pyre, E. leapt into the names and perished at his
side.

33

ON ANIMALS I. 15-16

he moves the line a little, rousing and egging on his
prey to take the food, while the prawn by its move-
ment conveys the impression that it intends to enter
the Wrasse s den. Now this the Wrasse greatly
resents, and therefore, as soon as he observes it, he
longs, such is his fury, to demolish the object of
his abhorrence, for he is not thinking of his appetite
at the moment ; and when he has • crushed it, he
moves off, considering it more honourable and more
important that the watchman should not be caught
napping than that he should be fed. But when he
intends to eat any other creature that comes his way,
he crushes it lightly and then lets it lie. As soon as
he sees that it is dead, then at length he nibbles
at it. But the female Wrasses, so long as they see
the male acting as their shield, so to say, ' remain
within and with the care of their household ' are
occupied. If however the male disappears, they
become distraught; their despondency leads them
to venture forth, and then they are caught.

What have the poets to say to this — our poets who
are for ever extolling Evadne" the daughter of
Iphis, and Alcestis , & the daughter of Pelias ?

16. Among fishes the ' Blue-grey ' c is a model The
father. He maintains a strenuous watch over his ^h"^ 7

* Alcestis, wife of Admetus, undertook to die in place of her
husband, but was rescued by Heracles from the clutches of
Death.

c Not certainly identified.

VOL. I.

33

c

AELIAN

lo)(vpa>s> iva dvempovXevTa re Kal dawfj 77. Kal
fjLev </>aiBpd Kal e£a) Beovs Stavi^erat, d Se
ttjv <f>povpav ovk dTroXijjmdvei, dXXd Trfj p,ev ovpayei,
77f? Se °^ ^avTr\v Be Trapavrjx^rai Tr ) v rt^vp&v *)
ifcelvrjv iav Be tl Belorj rcov 1 vy]7tLo)v, 6 Be x av &>v
iaeBe^aTO to fipe<j>os' 2 etra tov <f>6fiov TrapaBpa-
[jlovtos tov ko Ta<j)vy6vTa dvepLei otov iSi^aro, Kat
ifcetvos rtdXiv j^erai.

17. Kvojv Be BaXarrta reKodaa eyei ovvviovra
Ta crKvXaKUt tjBy} real ovk is dvafioXds. iav Be
Belarrj tl tovtcov, is tt]V psqrepa ioeBv addis Kara
to dpdpov eiTa tov Beovs TrapaBpapbovTOS to Be
irpoeioiv, woirep odv dvaTiKTop,evov add is.

18. © au/xaf ouow dv6pa)7TOi Tas yvvaiKas d>s
dyav <f>iXoTeKVovs* opd) Be otl Kal TedveojTtov vlwv
rj BvyaTepcov etrqoav prqTepes, Kal ra> XP° V< P r °v
irdOovs etXf) j>aoi XrjOrjv tt}s XvTtrjs piep.apaap.evrjs .
BeX<bl$ Be apa 9r}Xvs (biXoTeKVOTaTOS is Ta ea^ara
Qatwv eaTL. TLKret jiev yap ovo . . . ojav be
dXievs rj Tpojcrr} tov 7rat8a avTrjs Tfj Tpiaivrj r) tt)
olklBc fiaXf} . . , 3 r) fxev aKts ret dvco TeTpr]Tai, Kal
ivfjTTTat axpivos piaKpd avTrj, ol Be oytcoi ioBvvTes
eypvTai tov drjpos. Kal ecos fiev 4 ert pcopLrjs 6
BeX<j>ls 6 TpavfjLaTtas pieTeiXrjxe, x a ^% ° OrjpaTTjs
ttjv axotvov, Iva psq itOTe apa vtto tt)s ftias a-rrop-
prjgrj avTTjV, Kal yevryral ol Bvo KaKO), e^aw re
aTreXOrj ttjv dwrtSa o BeA^is* Kal dOrjpia TrepiTTeaji

2 Kal owciSe rrjy alrCav add. L, del. H.

34

ON ANIMALS, I. 16-18

mate's offspring, to ensure that they are not attacked
or injured. And all the while that they ai*e swim-
ming the sea happily and without fear he never
relaxes his vigilance, and sometimes brings up the
rear and sometimes does not, but swims by them now
on this side now on that. And if any of his young is
afraid, he opens his mouth and takes the baby in.
Later, when its fear has passed, he disgorges the one
that took refuge exactly as he received it, and it
resumes its swimming.

17. Directly the Dog-fish has produced its young, The Dog-
it has them swimming by its side, and there is no ^
delay. But if any one of them is afraid, it slips back

into its mother's womb. Later, when its fear has
passed, it emerges, as though it were being born
again.

18. Men admire women for their devotion to The'Doipiim
their children, yet I observe that mothers whose sons young*

or whose daughters have died, continued to live and
in time forgot their sufferings, their grief having
abated. But the female Dolphin far surpasses all
creatures in its devotion to its offspring. It pro-
duces two. . . . And when a fisherman either
wounds a young Dolphin with his harpoon or strikes
it with his barb . . . The barb is pierced at the
upper end, and a long line is fastened to it, while
the barbs sink in and hold the fish. So long as the
wounded Dolphin still has any strength, the fisher-
man leaves the line slack, so that the fish may not
break it by its violence, and so that he himself may
not incur a double misfortune through the Dolphin

Lacunae.

4 fikv akywv.

35

AELIAN

avros' orav Be atodrjrai KapuovTa Kal ttcos irapei-
pievov €K tov rpavfiaros, rjov)(fj Trap* avrrjv ayei
ttjv vavv, Kal e^et ttjv aypav. r) Be p^rjrrjp ovk
oppcoBet to TTpax^iv, ovBe dvauTeXXerai Beiaaua,
aAA' arropprjr<p <j>vaei rq> tt69co tov rraiBos €7T€tcu'
Kal BeipuaTa orrooa iOeXeis el eTrdyois s r) Be ovk
€K7rXrjTT€TaL t tov TraiBa ovx VTropievovaa airoXnreiv
iv rats <f>ovaXs 1 ovra, dXXd Kal e/c ^etpds" avrrjv
irard^at TrdpeoTiv* ovtojs opioae %tope£ rots' f$d\-
Xovocv, d>cr7T€p ovv dpLVV0vp,evr]. 2 Kal eK tovtcov
ovvaXLoKerai rco TraiBl, o-codrjvaL rrapov Kal aneX-
Oetv avTrp>. el Be dpL<f>to tol eKyova avrfj Trapelrj,
Kal vorjcreie rerpaxjOai tov erepov Kal ayeaOat, ws
TTpoeZirov, BtwKec tov oXoKXrjpov Kal drreXavvet, ttjv
Te ovpdv 3 iTTioeiovaa Kal BaKvovcra rco aropLarc,
Kal <f>vaa <j>vaiqp J d n darjpiov 4 pAv } fj BvvaTat y
avv9rjpua Be Trjs <f>vyrjs ivBiBovaa uoyTiqpiov, Kal 6
fiev dTTaXXdrreTai, p,evei Be avTr) 5 ear' av atpeOfj,
Kal QVvaixoQvr\aKei toj iaXwKOTt.

19. '0 fiovs 6 OaXaTTios ev rnqXcp TLKTerai, Kal
eariv i£ (LBlvwv f$pdx*>GTos , ylveTai Be €K fipa-
Xlotov 6 pt,eyiVTo$. Kal to- p,ev vtto tt)v vrjBvv
XevKos eoTi, Ta vtoTa Be Kal to 7rp6ao)rrov Kal rds"
TrXevpds p,eXa$ Beivcos. 7 crro/xa Be avTcp ipwe-
<f)VKe apbLKpov, ol Be SBovTes, puepbVKOTos 8 ovk av
avrovs tBots' ecrn Be 9 p^kigtos Kal irXaTvraTos.

1 rots (j)6voLS, 2 diJLVvofievrf,

3 tt} re ovpa.

4 BeisJce : <$>vay\\x.ofri acrrjfiip.

5 Schn : avrq.

9 f3pa.xvTa.Tos • . . tov ^pax^orov.

36

ON ANIMALS, I. 18-19

escaping with the barb and himself failing to catch
anything. As soon as he perceives that the fish is
tiring and is somewhat weakened by the wound, he
gently brings his boat near and lands his catch. But
the mother Dolphin is not scared by what has
occurred nor restrained by fear, but by a mysterious
instinct follows in her yearning for her child. And
though one confront her with terrors never so great,
she is still undismayed, and will not endure to desert
her young one which has come to a bloody end;
indeed, it is even possible to strike her with the hand,
so close does she come to the hunters, as though she
would beat them off. And so it comes about that
she is caught along with her offspring, though she
could save herself and escape. But if both her off-
spring are by her, and if she realises that one has
been wounded and is being hauled in, as I said
above, she pursues the one that is unscathed and
drives it away, lashing her tail and biting her little
one with her mouth ; and she makes a blowing sound
as best she can, indistinct, but giving the signal to
flee, which saves it. So the young Dolphin escapes,
while the mother remains until she is caught and dies
along with the captive.

19. The Horned Ray is born in the mud, and The Horned
though at the time of birth it is very small, it grows Eay
from that size to be enormous. Its belly beneath is
white; its back, its head, and its sides are a deep
black; its mouth however is small, and its teeth—
when it opens its mouth, you cannot see them.

7 SavcDs Kal dva^Kis eori. . 8 Jac : pefiVKores.

37

AELIAN

GLT€LTOLL fJL€V o3v KoX TWV lyfivCOV TToXAoVS, /XaAtOTa

Be uapKOOV dvQ poorreloov iorOloov VTreprjBerat. avvoiBe
Be avrw on pwprqv r^Kiaros £gti } fiovq) Be imdap-
pet too pueyeQei. kal Bid rovro orav iBr) riva rj
VY)yp\i€vov r\ VTroBvojxevov 1 iv rats' vBpoOrjplais, fiere-
copiaas iavrov Kal imKvproocras hxivr^eral ol 2
ftapvs dvoo iyKelpuevos re koI TTie^oyv Kal eTraprdjv
Belfxd rt/ vireprrerduas to rrdv cco/xa rw BeiXaca)
cos crreyrjv, dvaBvval re Kal dvarrvevcrai kooAvcov
avrov. ovkovv emoxeQevros ol rod 7rvevpt,aros, 6
fiev, ota eiKos, diroOvrfcrKei, 6 Be i[M7read>v e%€t rrjs
7rapafJLOvrjs puadov o fxdXicrra At^veuet 4 BeiTrvov*

20. Ta puev aAAa rd>v ojBikcov 5 [6pvea>v\ 6 evcrrofiei
Kal rfj yXd)rrrj <f}6eyyerai BiKrjv dvQpooirov* oi Be
rerriyes Kara rrjv l^vv elai XaXiararoi. Kal uirovv-
rai p,ev rrjs Bpooov, rd Be i£ eco is 7rXrj9ovoav
dyopdv arLwrrooGLV, rjXiov Be VTrapxofievov rrjs
aKfjbijs, rov i£ eavrcov /xe&aox KeXaBov, <f>iX6rrovol
rives <hs av eiTTOis x°P €VTa ^ V7re/> Ke<f>aXfjs Kal
rwv 7rapavejJi6vra>v Kal rcov 6Ba> xpoopievcov Kat
twv dfxwvrcov KardBovres. Kal rovro fxev to
<f>iX6pbovoov eSajKe rots dppeaiv rj <f>vais' rerri^ Be
drjXeia a<f>a)vo$ iari 3 Kal eoiKe Giooirav Biktjp vvpL<f)7]s
alBovp,ev7)S*

21. f Y<f)avriKrjv Kal raXaalav rrjv deov rrjv
'"Epydvrjv imvorjcrai (f>aatv avdpcoiroi* rrjv Be dpdx~
irqv rj (f)VGis cro(j>rjv is lorovpyLav iBrjfjbiovpyrjore.
Kal ^tAore^vet ov Kara p,lp,Tf]p,a, 7 ovBe egcoQev

1 imoSvofAtvov Post, op. 1. 44, irovovfizvov MSS, H.

2 oi Kal eAAo^a. 3 Jac : Severn.

3 8

ON ANIMALS, I. i^-zt

Further, it is exceedingly long and fiat. While on
the one hand it feeds upon a great number of fish,
yet its chief delight is to eat the flesh of man. It is
conscious of its very small strength : only its great
size gives it courage. Hence when it sees a man
swimming or diving to catch something in the water,
it rises and arching its body attacks him, pressing
upon him from above with all its weight ; and while
causing terror to fasten upon him, the Kay extends
all its body over the wretched man like a roof and
prevents him from reaching the surface and breath-
ing. When therefore his breathing is arrested, the
man naturally dies, and the Ray falls upon him and
in the feast which it most greedily desires reaps the
reward of its persistence.

20. All other songsters sing sweetly and use their The Cicada
tongue to utter, as men do, but Cicadas produce

their incessant chatter from their loins. They feed
upon dew, and from dawn until about midday remain
silent. But when the sun enters upon his hottest
period, they emit their characteristic clamour — in-
dustrious members of a chorus, you might call them
■ — and from above the heads of shepherds and
wayfarers and reapers their song descends. This
love of singing Nature has bestowed upon the males,
whereas the female Cicada is mute and appears as
silent as some shamefast maiden.

21. Men say that it was the goddess Ergane who
invented weaving and spinning, but it was Nature
that trained the Spider to weave. The practice of
its craft is not due to any imitation, nor does it

4 Beishe : awx^ifet. fi Bochart : 'IvStfcaiv.

6 [opveW] del. Warmington. 7 Beishe : wjixa.

39

AELIAN

Aa/xj&xvet {to) 1 vrj[Ma 9 dXA* £k rrjs olrceias vr]8vos
rovs fitrovs i£dyovaa elra p,ivroi rocs Kovfois rwv
7ttt]vu)v Orjparpa OTTocjxxwei,, cos BiKrva eKtreray-
vvaa. Kal Bi Sv igvcfialvei irapa rrjs yacrrpos
Xafiovoa, 2 Bid rcovBe eKewrjv €Krpe</>ei wavo <f>iXep-
yovaa, tbs Kal rdv yvvaiKtov rds fidXtara €V%€Cpas
Kal vrjfJLa daKTjrov eKrrovyjaai Bewds pw) dvrnrapa-
pdXXeadar veviKrjKe ydp rfj Xe7vr6r7]ri Kal rr)v
rpc X a.

22. ~Baf$vXojviovs re Kal XaASatou? cro<f>ov$ rd
ovpdvia aBovcriv ol crvyy panels' p,vpp,r)Kes Be ovre
is ovpavdv dvafiXeTrovres ovre 3 rds rod pw}vos
Ytfxipas irrl BaKrvXwv dpiBpLeiv exovres opaos Bcopov
€K cfrvcecos €ikrix aah wpdBo^ov rfj ydp r)pb€pa rod
p/qvds rfj via ecrco rrjs eavrc2v areyrjs oiKOVpovai,
rrjv 07ff}V ovx virepfiaivovres aAAa arpepbovvres .

23. Owaa rat oapy q> rep IxOvi irerpai 4 re Kal
arjpayyes, exovaai puevrot Biaa(f>dyas puKpds, 5 ojs
avyfjv rjXiov 6 KarUvat Kal <f>a>rds VTroTTipwrXdvai
rds Btaardaeis rdcrBe* xalpovat ydp ol crapyol
<f>a)rl pt,kv Travrt, rrjs Be aKrtvos rod r)Xiov Kal
jxaXXov Bufiwcrw. oIkovgl Be ev ravrco 7toXXol*
Blairai Be avrois Kal rjOrj 7 to. rrjs QaXdrriqs
Pp&X 7 ]* T V YV yeiTVia>at fxdXa dap,evajs.
<f>iXovvt Be tto)s 8 atyas loxppios. idv yovv rrXiqaLov
rrjs r\6vos vepbop,4vojv rj aKid pads rj Bevrepas ev
rfj OaXdrrrj <f>avfj, ol Be dcrpLevtos rrpocrveovat Kal

1 <rd> add. H. 2 Meiske: lA/covaa.

3 ouSe, <* 4 rrirpa.

5 fiiKpas Kal Tas faacrrdaeiSt v.l. y,. koX hieorwaas*

40

GN ANIMALS, I. 21-23

obtain spinning matter from any external source, but
produces the threads from its own belly and then
contrives snares for flimsy winged creatures, spread-
ing them like nets; and it derives its nourishment ,
from the same material that it extracts from its belly
and weaves. It is so extremely industrious that not
even the most dexterous women, skilled at elaborat-
ing wrought yarn, can be compared to it : its web is
thinner than hair.

22. Historians praise the Babylonians and Chal- The Ant
daeans for their knowledge of the heavenly bodies.

But Ants, though they neither look upwards to the
sky nor are able to count the days of the month on
their fingers, nevertheless have been endowed by
Nature with an extraordinary gift. Thus, on the
first day of the month they stay at home indoors,
never quitting their nest but remaining quietly
within.

23. The fish known as the Sargue has its home Sargue
among rocks and hollows, which however have in

them narrow clefts so that the rays of the sun can
penetrate within and fill these fissures with light.
For Sargues like all the light there is, but have an
even greater craving for the sunbeams. They live
in great numbers in the same place, and their usual
haunts are the shallows of the sea, and they particu-
larly like to be near the land. For some reason they
have a strong affection for goats. At any rate if the
shadow of one or two goats feeding by the sea-shore
fall upon the water, they swim in eagerly and spring

iJAtov re, 7 IA17. 8 ircos t&v dKoyoiv.

4?

AELIAN

dvarr/jhcoGiv, ws rjSofMzVoi, Kal TTpoadtftaaOat, tcov
alywv ttoBovcjiv e£aAAo/xevoi, Kavroi ov rrdw n
6vt€$ oXtikol ttjv oXXojs' vr\ypp>evoi hi Kal vtto
toXs KVfxaavu op,a)s rrjs twv alywv 6apur]s e^ow-
aiv aiadrjcrw, Kal V(f)* rjhovrjs TrpoeXOetv 1 iir* avrds

OTT€vhoV(JLV . 67761 TolwV hvcrip(OT€S 2 €1<TIV, i£ &V

ttoOovgw €K tovtcov dXtaKOVTai. dXcevs yap dvr)p
alyos hopa iavrov 7T€pta/x7rexet, aijv avrols tols k4-
pacrc hapeiwqs avTrjs' Aa/x/?dVet <Se> 3 dpa tov
r)Xiov Karavwrov im^ovXevcov 6 Orjparrjs rrj ay pa,
€ira KaraTrdrTeL rrjs OaXdrrrjs, v<f> fjv oikovow oi
7Tpo€t,pr}fj,ivoi, aX<j>ira alyela) f^o/xai StajSpa^evra.
iXKOfxevoi hi ol aapyol cbs vtto twos Ivyyos rrjs
daixrjs rrjs TTpoetprjpbevrjs TTpoolaoi, Kal atTovvrai piv
rcov dX<j>Cra)V, KrjXovvrai hi vtto rrjs hopas* alpeX 5
hi avrcov ttoXXovs dyKicrrpa) aKXrjpco Kal oppia
XLvov XevKOV- i^rjrrrai hi ou%6 KaXdpLOV ) dXXd
pdfihov Kpaveias* Set yap tov ipmeaovra dvavTrd-
aat paara, iva p,r) tovs dXXovs iKTapagrj. Orjpwv-
rai hi /cat drro %eip6s, idv ns rds aKavdaSy as
> iyeipovow is to iavrots dpLVVetv, is to Karai piipos
drro ye rrjs K€<j>aXfjs rjavxrj Kardyojv etra K.XLvr)
Kal TTiiaas rcov ireTpwv iKQTrdar], is as iavrovs
VTfkp tov Xadeiv wBovcrw.

24. f e^ts TrepirrXaKels Trj OrjXeta fxlywTac r)
hi avi^erai tov wpL<f>(ov Kal Xvrrei ovhi ev. orav
hi TTpos tco riXei rcov d(f>pohccrlcov c5at, novrfpav
vrrip rrjs opuXias rr)v ^cXo^poovvrjv e/crtVet r)

1 Abresch : irpoa-. 2 cs ra irpocip^iiiva Bva-.

8 <8e> add. H. 4 S. ^TTOfxevrjs cos alyos*

5 atpetrat.

42

ON ANIMALS, I. 23-24

up as though for joy, and in their desire to touch the
goats they leap out of the water, though they are
not in a general way given to leaping. And even
when swimming below the waves they are sensible
of the goats' smell, and for delight in it press in to
be near them. Now since they are thus love-sick,
the object of their love is the means of their capture.
Thus, a fisherman wraps himself in a goatskin which how caught
has been flayed with the horns. Stalking his prey,
the hunter gets the sun behind him and then sprinkles
on the water beneath which the aforesaid fish live,
barley-groats soaked in broth of goats' flesh. And
the Sargues, attracted by the aforesaid smell as
though by some charm, approach and eat the barley-
groats and are fascinated by the goatskin. And
the man catches them in numbers with a stout
hook and a line of white flax attached not to a
reed but to a rod of cornel-wood. For it is essential
to haul in the fish that has taken the bait very
quickly so as to avoid disturbing the others. They
are even to be caught by hand, if by gently
stroking the spines, which they raise in self-pro-
tection, from the head downwards one can lay them,
or by pressure draw the fish out of the rocks
into which they thrust themselves to avoid being
seen.

24. The male Viper couples with the female by vipers and
wrapping himself round her. And she allows her tlieir matmg
mate to do this without resenting it at all. ' When
however they have finished their act of love, the

43

AELIAN

vvfi<f>7] rep yapirrj' ip,<f>vcra yap avrov rop rpa^Xco,
StaKonrei avrov avrfj Ke^aXfj' Kal 6 fiev r46viqK€v 3
r} Be eyKaprrov e^et rrjv fil£iv Kal kvzi. rlftrei Sk
ovk cpa, aAAa ppetfyiq, /cat eoriv evepya rjorj
^/cara) 1 rrjv avratv <f>voiv rrjv KaKicrrrjv. Ste-
0QU1 yovv rrjv pvr\rp(pav vrfivv, Kal rrpoeiut irdpav-
ra 2 rtfjicopovvra rep TtarpL. rl ovv ol 'Opiarat
Kal ol 'AAkjokhWcs irpos ravra, to rpayopbol
<f>tXoi ;

25. Ttjv vatvav rryres p>€v dppeva el Oedoaio, rrjv
avrrjv is vioira oifsei OrjXvv el Be 6fjXvv vvv, /xera
ravra appeva* koivwvovvi re d^poSlrrjs eKarepas,
Kal yaiiovvi re Kal yapovvrai, dvd eros ttEv dfxel-
fiovaat, ro yevo$. ovkovv rov Katvea /cat rov Tet-
pealav dp%alovs a7reSei£e ro faiov rovro ov
Kopwrois dAAa rols epyois avrots.

26. yid\ovrai fjuev vrrep roov drjXeiwv ws VTrep
wpaiiov yvvaiKcov Kal ol rpdyoi TTpos rpdyovs Kal
ol ravpoc TTpos ravpovs koI vrrep ol&v ol Kptol
7Tp6s rovs dvrepwvras' opywai Be i<ni ras SiqXetas
Kal ol daXdrrioi Kavdapoi. ylvovrai Be ev rots
KaXovfxivois dairpOLS 3 ^co/nots, Kal elal C^Xorvnoi,
Kal iBot,$ av p-dx^v vrrep rcov OrjXeicov Kaprepdv
Kal ear iv 6 dyebv ovx virep ttoXA&v, cos rols

1 <( Kardy add. H. 2 kclt avrd, V. I. Kara, ravra.

3 Aewpot? H after Jac.

a Orestes slew his mother Clytemnestra in revenge for her
having slain his father Agamemnon.— Alcmaeon slew his
mother Eriphyle who had brought about the death of his,
father Amphiaraus.

44

ON ANIMALS, I. 24-26

bride in reward for his embraces repays her husband
with a treacherous show of affection, for she fastens
on his neck and bites it off, head and all. So he dies,
while she conceives and becomes pregnant. But she
produces not eggs but live young ones, which imme-
diately act in accordance with their nature at its
worst. At any rate they gnaw through their
mother's belly and forthwith emerge and avenge
their father.

What then, my dramatist friends, have your
Oresteses a and your Alcmaeons to say to this ?

25. Should you this year set eyes on a male Hyena, ^ H 7 ena
next year you will see the same creature as a female ;
conversely, if you see a female now, next time you

will see a male. They share the attributes of
both sexes and are both husband and wife, chang-
ing their sex year by year. So then it is not
through extravagant tales but by actual facts
that this animal has made Caeneus & and Teiresias
old-fashioned.

26. As men fight for beautiful women, so do ^ suck
animals fight for their females, goats with goats, bulls

with bulls, and rams with their rivals in love for
sheep. Even the Black Sea-bream wax wanton for
their females. They are born in what men call
rough places, and are jealous, and one may see them
fighting vigorously for their females. And they do
not contend for several, in the way that Sargues do,

b Caeneus, originally a girl named Caenis, was changed by
Poseidon into a man; after death he resumed his female
form. Teiresias likewise changed his sex twice, but the Hyena
does this every year.

45

AELIAN

oapyols, 1 aAA* vrrkp ttJ? IBlas ovvv6p,ov t <b$ vrrkp
yafjLerrjs rep MeveAea> 7Tp6s tov TVdpiv.

27. 'EaTtarat jaev ^aAAats 1 ) 2 /cat aAAats- Tpcxfxus
6 ttoXvttovs' €.an yap /cat <f>ay€tv Setvo? /cat iiri-
fiovXevaai a<f>6hpa iravovpyos' to Se atrtov, 7ra/x/?o-
pcoraros Brjplwv BaXarrlcov iarl. /cat < ('>7> 3 otto-
Sgl^ls, et ns avr<3 yivovro dBrjpta, rebv iavrov
TrXoKajxajv Traperpaye, /cat r^r yaaripa Kopioas
TTjv airdviv rijs ay pas ^/cecraTO* etra avafivec to

iXXetTTOV, COCT7T€p OVV T7]S <f>V(T€0)S TOVTO 4 Ot iv TW

XtfMco TrapaaK^va^ovarjs %toi\lov to Selrrvov*

28. "Ittttos 1 ipptfJLfievos a<firjK<bv yiveals icrrw. 6
fjiev yap VTroarjrrer at, e/c Be to£> [AveXov iKTrirovrai
ot Bfjpes ovroi, ojklcttov £(pov . 7TT7jvd e/cyora, tov

ItTTTOV Ol a<f>7]K€S.

29. AtftuAov f<£ov /cat 4oik6$ rats (f>apixaKtcrtv 9?
yAa££. /cat TTpcLrovs (xev alpet tov$ opviBoBrjpas
f)pT]{i4v7]. itepidyovai yovv avrrjv cos 7ratSt/ca ^
/cat Ata Treplairra irrl toV cbpiwv. /cat vvKTOip
jLtev auTOt? dypVTrveZ /cat tt? </>tovfj olovct rwi
€7raoiSrj yor}T€ta$ vrrearrapiiiviqs alpuvXov re /cat
deXKTLKrjs tovs opviBas eA/cet /cat /ca#tfet rrXqalov
iavr7]S' 7]$r} §e /cat eV rjf^Gpa Br\parrpa erepa rots
opvioi TTpoaelei \LcoKco\hivr] /cat aAAore aAA^v tSeav
TTpoacoiTov GTpi^ovoa, vcf>* &v KTjXovvrat, 5 /cat
Ttapap.ivovaiv eWot 6 iravres opviBes, j)pr\\i,€Voi Sect
/cat /xaAa ye la^vpcp i£ Sv iKeLvrj iLop<f>d£ei,,

1 Reiske : or. d TroAe/ios-. 2 <aAAcus> if.

46

ON ANIMALS, I. 26-29

but each for its own mate, just as Menelaus fought
for his wife with Paris.

27. The Octopus feeds first on one thing and then Th^ ^
on another, for it is terribly greedy and for ever copus
plotting some evil, the reason being that it is the
most omnivorous of all sea-animals. The proof of

this is that, should it fail to catch anything, it eats
its own tentacles, and by filling its stomach so, finds
a remedy for the lack of prey. Later it renews its
missing limb, Nature seeming to provide this as a
ready meal in times of famine.

28. A horses carcase is the breeding-place ofTheWasp,
Wasps. For as the carcase rots, these creatures fly generated
out of the marrow : the swiftest of animals begets
winged offspring : the horse, Wasps.

29. The Owl is a wily creature and resembles a The Owl
witch. And when captured, it begins by capturing

its hunters. And so they carry it about like a pet
or (I declare) like a charm on their shoulders. By
night it keeps watch for them and with its call that
sounds like some incantation it diffuses a subtle,
soothing enchantment, thereby attracting birds to
settle near it. And even in the daytime it dangles
before the birds another kind of lure to make fools of
them, putting on a different expression at different
times ; and all the birds are spell-bound and remain
stupefied and seized with terror, and a mighty terror
too, at these transformations.

<ij> add. H. 4 Kal rovro.

atpovvrat. 6 Hetnst : ol vioi.

47

AELIAN

30 . *0 Xdfipa£ Kaploos TjrTrjTai,, Kal etrj av, tva
n Kal Ttalaas eliTa), 1 lyQvwv otffO<j)ayiararos,
ovkovv eXetoi ovres ras iXelovs eAAo^ajCTtv. elcrl
yap r<o yevet rpcrrat' Kal at fzev avrcov ofa?
TTpoetTTOv, at Be £k <j>VKtcov } TreTpataL ye jjl-tjv at
rplrai. dfivveoOai Be avrovs dBvvaTOvoai alpovv-
rav ovvaTToBvrjGKew \ Kal to ye ao<f>tayia elirelv
ovk oKwqcra) avrcov. orav yovv aicrdcovrai Xap,f$av6-
fMevat, to e^eyov Trjs Ke<f>aXrjs {eoiKe Be Tpirjpovs
ifjbfioAw Kai iidXa ye 6£ei } Kal aXXa)s ivTopas e^et
BiKrjv iTpiovos) tovto Totvvv at yevvalat ao<f>cos
e-rriOTpetftacrai TrrjBcoaC Te Kal dvaOopvuvTat Kov</>a
Kai aATLKa. Keyr\ve be o Aappaf \Leyaf Kai eaTiv
oi tol Trjs Beprjs drraXd. ovkovv 6 fxev avXXafitbv
TTjV KaplBa Kafiovaav o'leTai Belirvov e%ew s rj Be ev
e^ovaCq Te Kal evpv)(0)pia oKipra Trjs <f>dpvyyos ws
av eXrrois KaTa^opevovcra* etra e\mr\ywTai tw
BeiXacco 6rjpaTjj tol KevTpa, Kal eXKOVTal ol tol
evBov Kal dvoiBrjoavTa atpa eKpdXXei noXv Kal
duoiTvLyeiy /cat KacvoTara Brjrrov drroKTeivaua
avrjprjrai.

31. 'Ovu^ojv a/c/xats 1 Kal oBovtoov BiaTOfials Bap-
povcrt, Kal dpKTOi Kal Xvkoi Kal rrdpBoi Kal XeovTes'
Tt]v he vvTpv)(a aKovw Tavra fiev ovk e^etv, ov
fir)v SttXcov vtto Trjs (j>vaecos dpuvvTrjplwv dftoXe-
Xei<f>9ai €prjp,rjv. tocs yovv imovaw eirl Xvp,rj
ray avcoOev Tp£)(a$ otoi>et fieXrj eKTrepwreij /cat
evaTo^s fidXXei noXAdKis, tol va>Ta <f>pl^aoa'

cmko] et Kal TtTaiaas iput.

4 8

ON ANIMALS, L 30-31

30. The Basse is a victim of the Prawn and is in- ^^ e n and
clined to be (if I may be allowed the j est) the greatest rawn
gourmet among fish. So being lake-dwellers they
lie in wait for the lake Prawns. These are of three
kinds : the first are such as I have already mentioned ;
the second subsist on seaweed, while the third kind
live on the rocks. Being incapable of self-defence
against the Basse, they prefer to die along with it.
And I shall not hesitate to use the word ' stratagem 7
of them. For instance, directly they realise that they
are being caught, these precious creatures adroitly
turn outwards the projecting portion of their head,
which resembles the beak of a trireme and is exceed-
ingly sharp and has moreover notches in it like a
saw, and spring and leap lightly and nimbly about.
But the Basse opens its mouth wide, and the flesh
of its throat is tender. So the Basse seizes the
exhausted Prawn and fancies that , it is going to
make a meal of it. The Prawn however in this
ample space gambols about and dances in triumph,
so to say, over the Basse's throat. Then it plants its
spikes in its unfortunate pursuer, whose inward
parts are thereby lacerated, so that they swell up
and discharge much blood and choke the Basse, until
in most novel fashion the slayer is himself slain.

31. Strength of claws and sharpness of fangs make The
bears, wolves, leopards, and lions bold, whereas the orc
Porcupine, which (I am told) has not these advan-
tages, none the less has not been left by Nature
destitute of weapons wherewith to defend itself.
For instance, against those who would attack it with
intent to harm it discharges the hairs on its body,
like javelins, and raising the bristles on its back,

49

AELIAN

/cat e/cetvat ye 7TrjBa)at,v, Sairep odv e/c twos
d<j>eip,4vat, vevpas*

32. *H Beivov KaKov /cat voo^ju-a dypiov exOpa
/cat pZvos av^vis, elirep ovv /cat rots dXoyots
ivrerrjKe /cat avrols iart BvaeKViirra, \wpaiva
yovv rroXviroBa pLicr€L } /cat ttoXvttovs Kapdficp noXe-
fjiios, /cat fivpawr] Kapafios exOiaros eort. puvpaiva
fiev yap rats d/c/xats* rcov oBovtcuv rds TrXeKTavas

TCp TToXv-TTohl Sta/C07TT€t, elra fJL€VTOL /Cat €S TTjV

yaarepa ecrBvaa avrw rd avrd Bpa y /cat elKorcos'
rj puev yap viqKriKrj, 6 Be eoiKev epirovTi' el Be /cat
Tp€7roiTO rrjv %poav Kara rds Trerpas, eoiKev avrtp
rd (To<j>LopLa ovputfcepew 1 ovBe ev tovto' eart yap
ovviBelv €KeCv7] Beivrj rod £q>ov to 7raAa/x^jCta.
rovs ye puv]V Kapdfiovs avrol 2 ovXXafiovTes is
Trvtyfia, oTav veKpovs epydaosvraiy rd Kpea e/c/xu-
£a)crw avrcov . Kepara Be rd eavrov 6 Kapafios
dveyelpas /cat OvfiioBels is avrd, TrpOKaXeiTat p,v-
paivav? ovkovv rj fxev rov avrciraXov rd Kevrpa,
oaa ol 7rpop€pXrjrai } ravra ovk iwoovva Kara-
BaKver 6 Be rd? XV^^ olovel xeipas TrpoTeLvas,
Trjs Beprjs 7rap' eKarepa iyKparws ixop>€vo$ ov
fieB } Ct]o w rj Be. dcr^aAAet /cat iavTYjv eAtrret /cat
-nepifidXXei rwv darpaKcov rats d/cjuat?, <x>V7tep ovv
is avrrjv Tr^yvvfievcov /xaA/ctet 4 re /cat d7rayopevet }
/cat reXevrcbcra Trapeifievq /cetrat* 6 Be tt\v
avrl-TTaXov 7rotetrat Beiirvov.

1 Triller: atpeiv.

2 avrot corrupt, H.

3 fJL. Kal <as ttvai Kara ywaiKa c5pytajLt«^v.

SO

ON ANIMALS, I. 31-32

frequently makes a good shot. And these hairs leap
forth as though sped from a bowstring,

32. Enmity and inborn hate are a truly terrible Mutual
affliction and a cruel disease when once they have Moray,
sunk deep into the heart even of brute beasts, and ^g^^
nothing can purge them away. For instance, the
Moray loathes the Octopus, and the Octopus is the
enemy of the Crayfish, and to the Moray the Cray-
fish is most hostile. The Moray with its sharp teeth
cuts through the tentacles of the Octopus, and then Moray and
boring into its stomach does the same thing — and opus
very properly, for the Moray swims, while the
Octopus is like some creeping thing. And even
though it changes its colour to that of the rocks,
even this artifice seems to avail it nothing, for the
Moray is quick to perceive the creature's stratagem.

As to the Crayfish, the Octopuses strangle them ^ cfc J|^ an
with their grip, and when they have succeeded in ra
killing them, they suck out their flesh. But against
the Moray the Crayfish raises its horns and with Moray and
fury in them challenges it. Thereupon the Moray Cra y fish
imprudently tries to bite the prickles which its
adversary has thrust forward in self-defence. But
the Crayfish reaches out its claws like two hands, and
clinging firmly to the Moray's throat on either side,
never relaxes its hold, while the Moray in its distress
writhes and transfixes itself on the points of the Cray-
fish's shell ; and as these are planted in it, it grows
numb and gives up the struggle, finally sinking in
exhaustion. And the Crayfish makes . a meal off its
adversary.

4 fiaXaKiet.

5 1

AELIAN

33. Tr)v (jbvpawav 1 rov lx$vv rpe(f>ei ra treXdyrj.
orav Be avrrjv ro Blktuov TTepiXafy, 2 Btavrjx^rac
Kal CrjreL rj ftpoxov dpaiov r) pvjypa rov Blktuov
rrdw ao^cD?* Kal ivTvyovaa rovroyv rivl Kal BieK-
Bvaa iXevOepa vrjx €TaL ^ tvx ol A 6 " 1
rrjaBe rrjs eveppiias, Kal at Xoirral ocrai rod avrov
yevovs avveaXooKaai Kara rrjv eKecvqs <f>vyr)v
i^laocv, cos 6B6v riva Xafiovoai Trap" r)yep,6vos .

34. Tr)v aryniav orav pbeXXcouw alpetv 3 oi rovrcov
dyaOol dt]paral } avvetcra eKeCvrj TraprjKe ro i£ eav~
rrjs a7roa^ay/xa, 4 Kal Karax^rai iavrrjsy Kal rrepi-
Xafxpdvei Kal d<j>avi^ei rraoaVy Kal KXerrrerai rr)v
oijsw 6 dXievs* Kal r) fxev iv 6<f>9aXfioLs eanv, 6 Be oi>x
opa. roiovrov n Kal rw Alveca v£<f>o$ rrepifiaXcov
rj7rdrr]cr€ rov 'A^tAAea 6 UoaecSajv, cbs"Op,r)pos Xeyec.

35. Bao7cava>v o^OaXpuovs Kal yorjrcov <j>vXdr-
rerai Kal rcov ^cpcov rd dXoya <f>vaei rwl drropprjrcp
Kal OavpLao-rfj . aKovco yovv 5 fiaoKavias dfxvvrr)-
piov rds <f>drras Bd<f>vrjs KXcovta dtrorpayovaas
Xerrrd etra puevrot rats eavrcov KaXiats evnOivai
rcov veorrtcov <f>etBoL* tKrtvoi Be pdpuvov, KipKoi Be
rriKpiBa, at ye pbrjv rpvyoves rov rrjs ipecos Kapirov,
dyvov Be KopaKes, ol Be erro^es ro dBiavrov 3 orrep
ovv Kal KoXXCrpcxov KaXovcrt rives } dpiarepecova Be
Kopcovrj, Kal Kirrbv dprrrj, KapKivov Be epcpBios,

1 Ges : a<j>vpaivav. 2 TrepifidXXr}.

3 JReisJce : atpelv kclI Ari/z/?dV«v.

4 wro (j^ayjua H, cp. Hippon. 2a (D 2 ). 5 o$v.

° The genus picris embraces a wide variety of plants ; it
may here signify ox-tongue or chicory or endive or Urospermum
picroides.

5 2

ON ANIMALS, I. 33-35

33. The fish known as the Moray lives in the sea, The Moray
and when the net encircles it, it swims hither and
thither, seeking with great cleverness some weak

mesh or some rent in the net. And when it has
found such a place, it slips through and swims free
once again. And if one of them has this good for-
tune, all the others of its kind that have been caught
along with it escape in the same way, as though
taking their direction from a leader.

34. Whenever fishermen who are skilled in these gto
matters plan to catch a Cuttlefish, the fish on realising
this emits the ink from its body, pours it over itself
and envelops itself so as to be entirely invisible.
The fisherman's sight is deceived : though the fish is
within view, he does not see it. It was by veiling
Aeneas in such a cloud that Poseidon tricked Achilles,
according to Homer [II 20. 321-].

35. Even brute beasts protect themselves against f£f*™£
the eyes of sorcerers and wizards by some inexplic- tection
able and marvellous gift of Nature. For instance, I

am told that as a charm against sorcery rmg-doves
nibble off the fine shoots of the bay-tree, and then
insert them in their nests as a protection for their
young. Kites take buck-thorn, falcons picris, a while
turtle-doves take the fruit 6 of the iris, ravens the
agnus-castus tree, but hoopoes maidenhair fern,
which some call 'lovely hair'; the crow takes
vervain, the shearwater « ivy, the heron a crab, the

b From Thphr. HP 3. 3. 4 ' it appears that the buds of the
poplar were mistaken for fruit,' Hort ad loc. So here perhaps
Kafynos should be understood as the bud of the iris.

« '"Apm? . . prob. shearwater; L-S 9 ; but the meaning
is quite uncertain, cp. 12. 4.

S3

AELIAN

Trip&ig Se KaXdfxov tfiofirjv, 6aX\6v Se at /ct^Aat
iwpplv7]s. TrpofidXAerai Se /cat Kopvhos dypwartv,
aerol 1 <Se> 2 T ov Ai'0<w, oairep ovv i£ avrwv
atTirqs /ce'/cA^rat. Xiyerai Se o&ro? o XlBos teal
yvvatgl Kvovaais dyadov etvai, rats dpu^Xwaeui

TToXipLlOS OJV,

36. f O IxOvs r) vdpK-q otov aV /cat Trpocrdt/f-qrai
to avr^ff wo/w e'Sw/ce' Te kol vapKav eVotT/crev.

T} 8e i X €V7]k j7T€ X €L ra<r vavs, Kal i£ 0$ TTOleZ

KaXovpev avj-qv. kvovg^s Se oXkvovos lararat
fxev rd TreXdyr]^ elprjvrjv Se /cat <f>iXtav dyovaiv
avepot,^ Kvei^Se apa x €l ^ V( >s fieaovvros, Kal
ojxeos rf rod depos yaXrjvr) otSayaiv evrjfxeplav, /cat
aXKvovelas* TqvucdSe tt)s wpas dyofiev r)ix£pas.
%Xvos he Xvkov vareX Kara rvxrjv Ittttos, kol vdpKrj
TrepielXrifevavTov. el Se vmopptijjeias darpdyaXov
Xvkov rerpwpep 4 0eWt, to Se cos ireTrqyds eorrfce-
rat, row lttttcov tov darpdyaXov TrarrjadvTwv .
Xioov Se <f>vXXoi$ irpivov to 'i X vos eVt/?aAAet, /cat
vaptea- . . . 5 Se /cat o Xvkos, el kol puovov irpo-
(jneXaaete 7TerrjXois crKtXArjs. ravrd rot /cat at
dXd)7T€Kes isjas evvds rcov Xvkcov ip,{$dXXov(jt,, Kal
elKorcos' Bid yap ttjv ef avr&v eirifiovXty voovvw
exOiara avTots.

37. Ot ireXapyol XvpLawofievas avrwv rd <bd rds
WKTeplBas dp,vvovTai -rrdvv ao^aV at fiev yap

1 ateTot MSS always.

2 <8e'> add. Jac.

* Jac; Kal T€Tpa>pq>,

54

ON ANIMALS, I. 35"37

partridge the hairy head of a reed, thrushes a sprig
of myrtle. The lark protects itself with dogs-tooth
grass; eagles take the stone which is called after
them aeiite (eagle-stone). This stone is also said to
be good for women in pregnancy, as a preventive of
abortions.

36. The fish known as Torpedo produces the effect TJ*^
implied in its name on whatever it touches and
makes it * torpid ' or numb. And the Sucking-fish
clings to ships, and from its action we give it its
name, Ship-holder.

While the Halcyon is sitting, the sea is still and the The^
winds are at peace and amity. It lays its eggs about
mid-winter ; nevertheless, the sky is calm and brings
fine weather, and it is at this season of the year that
we enjoy ' halcyon days.'

If a horse chance to tread on the footprint of a ogjds^
Wolf, it is at once seized with numbness. If you num bness
throw the vertebra of a Wolf beneath a four-horse
team in motion, it will come to a stand as though
frozen, owing to the horses having trodden upon the
vertebra. If a Lion put his paw upon the leaves of an
ilex, he goes numb. <And the same thing happens
to> a Wolf, should he even come near the leaves of a
squill. And that is why foxes throw these leaves
into the dens of Wolves, and with good reason,
because their hostility is due to the Wolves* designs
upon them.

37. Storks have a very clever device for warding ^phyi-^
off the bats that would damage their eggs: one bybirds

s Lacuna : vap K a TraTwv 8e mss, <va/)«a> Jac, <o^otW> H*

55

AELIAN

TTpooaifjaiievai p,6vov dvepaaia ipyd&vrai Kal
ayova avra. ovkovv to iirl tovtois <f>dpp,aKov
€K€tvo ecrrt. TrXardvov <f>vXXa iiri^epovoi rats
KaXcais' at Be WKTepLBes orav avrots yevrvidawai,
vapKwac Kal yivovrai Xvjretv dBvvaTOt,. Ba>pov Be
dpa r) <f>vats Kal rats ^eAtSoatv eBa>Kev otov. at
aiX<j>ai Kal tovtcov rd <hd dBtKovaw. ovkovv at
p,7]T€p€s creXtvov KOfirjv TrpofidXXovrat t&v fipe<f>a>Vy
Kal iK^Lvais to ivTevdev afiard iari. ttoX-uttogi Be
et ti$ im^aXoi 1 TTTjyavov, aKcvrjroL fievovmv, <bs
Xeyei ti$ Xoyos. o<f>ea>s Be el KaOiKOio KaXdfiqy,
fieTa tt}v TTpayrrjv TrXrjyrjv dVpe^et Kal vdpKrj 2
TreS-qdels r}ovxd£ei' el Be iiraydyois 3 BevTepav rj
TpiTTjv, dveppcocras avrov. Kal \wpaiva Be TtX-qyelaa
vdpOrfKC is aVa£ rjavxaCer el Be TrXeovaKis, is
dvpov e^aVrerat. Xeyovcrt Be aXiets Kal TroXviroBas
is Trjv yrjv vpo'ievai, iXaias OaXXov iirl rrjs f]6vos
Kei^evov. 9rjpia)v Be dXe£t,cf)dpp,aKov rjv dpa irdv-
r<x)v TnpeXrj iXe<f>avT0S , rjv el tis imxplcraiTo, Kal el
yvfivos ofAoore x^P ^! tois dypiaiTaTOis ; datvfjs
a7raXXdTT€Tai.

38. 'OppcoBeX 6 iXe<f)as KepdcrTrjv Kptov Kal ^ot-
pov fiorjv. ovto) toi } <j>aGi ) Kal 'Pco/mioi tovs avv
Uvppq) T<p 'E.7T€(,pd>T7} €TpiifjavT0 iXi^avras , Kal
ff vLkt] avv tols e Pto/zaiW XajATrp&s iyevero.
yvvaiKOS <8e> 4 wpaias ToBe to £cpov ^TT&Yat Kal

1 em/SaAAet. 2 rjj vdpKj}.

3 iwyois. 4 <8e'> add. H.

fl Si% (rendered 'cockroach' in L-S 9 ) here probably
signifies the dipterous insect Stenopteryx hirundinis. ' Most

56

ON ANIMALS, I. 37-38

touch from the bats turns them to wind-eggs and
makes them infertile. Accordingly, this is the
remedy they use to prevent this happening. They
lay the leaves of a plane-tree upon their nests, and
directly the bats come near the storks, they are
benumbed and become incapable of doing harm.
On swallows too Nature has bestowed a like gift:
cockroaches* injure their eggs. Therefore the
mother-birds protect their chicks with celery leaves,
and hence the cockroaches cannot reach them. ^ If
one throws some rue upon an octopus it remains ^f n of
immobile — so the story goes. If you touch a snake herbs n
with a reed, it will after the first stroke remain still, JgygJ
and in the grip of numbness will lie quiet; if how-
ever you repeat the stroke a second or a third
time, you at once revive its strength. The moray
too, if struck once with a fennel wand, lies still
the first time ; but if struck several times, its anger
is kindled. Fisherfolk assert that even octopuses
come ashore if a sprig of olive is laid upon the
beach.

It seems that the fat of an elephant is a remedy Elephant's
against the poisons of all savage creatures, and if a f at
man rub some on his body, even though he encounter
unarmed the very fiercest, he will escape unscathed.

38 (i). The Elephant has a terror of a horned ram The
and of the squealing of a pig. It was by these means, f0 H a f n '
they say, that the Romans turned to flight the perfumes
elephants of Pyrrhus of Epirus, and that the Romans
won a glorious victory. This same animal is over-

of the known Hippoboscidae live on birds and are apparently
specially fond of the Swallow tribe. They are all winged.'
D. Sharp, Insects, 519 (Camb. Nat. Hist. 6).

57

AELIAN

rrapakveraL tov Ovfiov iKKaxfxodev 1 is to KaXXos.
Kal dvTfjpa <f>avlv iv rfj Alyvirria 'AXegdvhpov
rroXei yvvaiKos UTe<f)dvovs TrXeKovarjs 'Apiaro <j>dvei
ra> Bv£avTiq> iXe<f>as. 2 dya7ra he 6 avTos Kal
evcohiav irdcrav, Kal fxvpoov Kal dvOecov KrjXovpuevos

Tjj OVflfj.

"Octtis fiovXeTai kXo)$ r} XrjaTrjs Kvvas dyav
aypiooTaTovs KaTaaiydvai Kal Qeivai <f>vydhas, £k
TTVpas dv6pw7rov haXov Xaficbv opocre avTots -^copei,
tfiacjLv ol he oppcohovacv. aKrjKoa he Kal eKeivov
tov Xoyov. XvKOGirdha oh negas <Vts-> 3 Kal ipiovp-
yrjvas Kal x^&va ipyacrdfievos Xviret tov 7)067} p,e-
vov oha^ojxov yap ipyd&Tai, d>s Xoyos. epiv
he el tis Kal endow iOeXot iv tw ovvheinvcp
ipydoaoOat, hrjxOevTa vtto kwos XWov ipb^aXcbv
tco oivq) Xvtrei tovs ovfjaroTas eKpLaivcov, Kavdd-

pOLS hk KaKOVfJLOlS 07] plots €1 TCS eTTlppdveie 4

pjvpov, ol he tt)v evcohiav ov <f>epovow } aAA'
dmoQv7]OKovow . ovtcd toL <j>aoc Kal tovs fivpoo-
heiftas ovvTpa<f>4vTas dipt KaKw /3heXvTTeo6ac
puvpov. Xiyovoi he AlyvTTTioi Kal tovs ofieis
irdvTas lfiea>v TTTepd hehievat.

39. Srjpcocri tAs Tpvyovas ol 5 tovto>v aKpi-
fiovvTes t(l OrjpaTpa, Kal fidXiOTa tt]s Treipas ov
htapLapTdvovcrt, tov TpOTtov tovtov. ioTTjKaoiv op-

1 MeisJce: cKKwfadds, 2 6 iXtyas.

3 ijisyaM. H. 4 imppdveu*

5 ol /ecu .

* Aristophanes of Byzantium, 3rd/2nd cent. B.C., head of
the library at Alexandria, famous as grammarian, literary and

5*

ON ANIMALS, I. 38-39

come by beauty in a woman and lays aside its tem-
per, quite stunned by the lovely sight. And at
Alexandria in Egypt, they say, an Elephant was the
rival of Aristophanes of Byzantium a for the love of
a woman who was engaged in making garlands.
The Elephant also loves every kind of fragrance and
is fascinated by the scent of perfumes and of flowers.

(ii) If some thief or robber wants to silence dogs ^JJ^
that are too fierce and to make them run away, he barking
takes a brand from a funeral pyre (they say) and

goes for them. The dogs are terrified. I have
heard too this story : if a man shears a sheep that
has been mauled by a wolf r and after working the
wool makes himself a tunic, this will irritate him wcg «
when he puts it on. * He is weaving a gnawing itch
for himself/ as the proverb has it.

(iii) If a man wants to bring about a quarrel and
contention at a dinner-party, he will by dropping part y
into the wine a stone that a dog has bitten, vex his
fellow-guests to the point of frenzy.

(iv) If a man sprinkle some perfume upon beetles, ^^ tjmd
which are ill-smelling creatures, they cannot endure unpleasant
the sweet scent, but die. In the same way it is said

that tanners, who live all their life in foul air, detest
perfumes. And the Egyptians maintain that all
snakes dread the feathers of the ibis.

39. Those who have a thorough understanding of Thestiag-
the matter hunt Sting-rays, 6 and it is chiefly in this SJghtT
way that their efforts are successful. They take their

textual critic, especially in the field of Greek poetry. \Y r ?te
an epitome of natural history based upon Aristotle ; it in-
cluded * paradoxal ^

& Cp. 17. 18; Tpvyw must here stand for t. daAarrta.

59

AELIAN

Xovpevoi Kal dBovres ev fxdXa p,ovoiKa>s' ai Be
/cat rfj aKofj SeXyovTai Kal rfj oifsei T7\$ opxtfcrecos
KiqXovvrai Kal TTpovtaviv eyyvTepo). ol Be virava-
XWpovaiv rjcrvxri Kal fidBrjv, evda Bi]7Tov Kal 6
BoXos rat? BeiXalais 7tpoKeiTai 3 BtKTva eKTreiTTa-
fieva 1 - etra epLirvnTovaiv is avrd Kal aAtWovrat,
op%r\aei Kal chBfj fiprjfievat TTpobrov.

40. "OpKvvos ovofjua KY]Tw8r]s txQvs ovk aao<f>os
es ra avrov XvmreXiarara, Bcopov Xax&v <f>voei
tovto, ov rixvrj. orav yovv TrepLrraprj rep ajKio-
rpw, KaraBvei avrov is fivdov Kal <hdeZ Kal
TTpooapdrret, ra> Ba7re8q) Kal Kpovec to crrofjia,
eK^aXeiv to dyKiorpov eBeXow* el Be dBvvarov
tovto et7], 2 evpvvet 3 to Tpavfia, Kal eKrrTverai to
Xvttovv avrov Kal egdXAerac. TroXXaKts Be ovk
€TVxe rrjs rreipas, Kal 6 Oiqpa'rqs aKovra avawrrdcFas
k'xei ttjv aypav.

41. AeiXoTaros Ixdvayv 6 fieXdvovpos } Kal k'xet
T?j$ BeiXias fxaprvpas tovs aXiets. ovt€ yovv
KvpTtp XafipdvovTai ovtoc, ovt€ Trpoataaiv avTCp*
aayrjvr) Be el wore avrovs irepiAdfioi* ol Be
ayvoovvres eaXojKaai. Kal orav puev fj vnevBla Kal
XeLa r] 9dXaTTa } ol Be dpa Kara) rrov Trpos rats
TreTpats § tois <f>VKiot,$ rjovxd^qvut, Kal rrpofidX-
Xovrai tvav 6 ti BvvavTai, to awfia d(f>avlCovTes :
edv Be rj ^et/xepta, tovs aAAous" opcbvTes KaTaBvv-
fas eK Tijs ra>v KVfxaTOJV TTpoafioXrjs is rov f$v86v,

3 evpvvet o8v. * ireptfi&Koi.

6o

ON ANIMALS, I. 39^41

stand and dance and sing very sweetly. And the
Sting-rays are soothed by the sound and are charmed
by the dancing and draw nearer, while the men with-
draw gently step by step to the spot where of course
the snare is set for the wretched creatures, namely
nets spread out. Then the Sting-rays fall into them
and are caught, betrayed in the first instance by
the dancing and singing.

40. The Great Tunny, as it is called, is a monstrous The Great
fish and knows well what is best for it. This gift it Tujmy
has acquired by nature and not by art. For instance,
when the hook has pierced it, it dives to the bottom

and thrusts and dashes itself against the ground,
striking its mouth in its effort to eject the hook. If
that fails, it widens the wound and disgorges the
instrument of pain and dashes away. Frequently
however it fails in the attempt, and the fisherman
draws up the reluctant creature and secures his catch.

41. The Melanurus is the most timid of fishes, and The

to its timidity fishermen bear witness, for it is not (biack-Sn)
caught in weels nor does it go near them ; but if by
chance a dragnet encircles it, then it is caught
without knowing it. And whenever the sea is fairly
calm and smooth, these fish lie quiet down below
upon the rocks or among the seaweed and cover
themselves as best they can, trying to conceal their
bodies. But if the weather is stormy, observing
other fish diving to the depths out of the buffeting
waves, they take courage and approach the shore,

61

AELIAN

oc Be avadappovcri, 1 Kal rfj yfj TrpoGTreXd^ovai, Kal
raZs iter pais TTpocrveovac, Kal rjyovvral cr<f>iai
TrpofiArjfjia iKavov etvai tov V7Tepvrjx6p.evov d<f>pov
KaXv7TT0vrd re avrovs Kal eTrrjXvyd^oVTa . avviam
Be ed fjL&Aa a,7T0ppr}Tws ore toZs dXievcrtv ev rjfiepq,
Tola 77 vvktI is tt)v OdXarrdv evrtv dj3ara, dyptai-
vovarjs Trjs OaXdrrrjs <(/axt) 2 ra>v KVfidrwv alpo-
fxevcov ixerewpo)v re Kal cfcoflepcov. e^ovai Be Kal
Tpo<j>rjv ev ^ei/zawt, tov kXvBcdvos rd puev dTrocnrajv-
tos eK rcov Trerpwv, rd Be imavpovros e/c Trjs yrjs'
oirovvTai Be fxeXdvovpot, ra pvirapdyrepa Kal Sera
ovk dv paBLois lx@vs aXXos dv irdaatTO, el firj irdvv
XipLcp 7Tte£oiTO. ev yaXrjvrj Be em Trjs dfifxov
fjiovrjs aaXevovai? Kal eKeZSev ftoGKOVTai. ottcos Be
dXLtJKQvrai, epeZ d'XXos.

42. 'Aero? Be 6pvl6a>v o^vcoTreoTaros * Kal "Ofirj-
pos avrw avvotBe Kal tovto, Kal fxapTVpeZ ev Tjj
HarpOKXela, elKa^cov tov MeveAeaw rai opviBi, ore
dve^njreL ^AvtlXo^ov, tva dyyeXov diroGTelXr} tw
'A^tAAet, TTiKpov jjuevj dyayKaZov Be, virep tov
irdOovs tov Kara tov iratpov avTOV, ov e^eTTepujse
puev, ox>x VTveBe^aro Be, Kavroi ttoOcov eKeZvos
tovto. Xeyerac Be firj eavTW puovco xprjoip,os 3 dXXd
Kal dvOpcLiTcov 6<f>6aXpioZs 6 deros dyados 4 etvai.
el yovv fieXcrl ti$ 'Attikw tt)v x°^1 v wvtov
BiaXaficbv 5 V7raXelifjaiTO 6 dpifiXwoptevos, oipeTat
Kal o^vrdrovs yovv IBeZv e^ei tovs 6(j>daXpiovs .

1 dvaOapaovat. 2 <(/cat> add. Meishe.

3 Jac : dXiivovm, 4 Schn : dyadov.

5 avaXaficov ? H. 6 vrraAet^oiTO.

62

ON ANIMALS, I. 41-42

swim close to the rocks, and fancy that the foam
floating overhead is sufficient protection while it
conceals and overshadows them. And they know in
some quite inexplicable way that for fishermen the
sea is unnavigable on such a day or such a night, as
it rages with the waves mounting to a terrifying
height. It is in stormy weather that they gather
their food, when the swell drags some off the rocks
and sucks some from the shore. The Melanuruses
feed off the foulest matter, such stuff as no other
fish would readily take, unless it were utterly over-
come by hunger. But in calm weather they have only
the sand to ride on, and from there they get their
food. But how they are captured another shall tell.

42. Among birds the Eagle has the keenest sight. The Eagle,

& ° its keen

And Homer is aware of this and testifies to the fact sight
in the story of Patroclus when he compares Menelaus
to the bird [II 17. 674-], at the time when he was
searching for Antilochus, that he might despatch
him to Achilles as a messenger, unwelcome indeed
but necessary, to announce the fate that had be-
fallen his comrade, whom Achilles had sent out <to
battle) but never welcomed home again for all his
yearning. And the Eagle is said to serve not him-
self alone but to be good for men's eyes as well. At
any rate, if a man whose sight is dim mix an Eagle's
gall with Attic honey and rub it <(on his eyes), he
will see and will acquire sight of extreme keenness.

63

AELIAN

43. 'AtjSow opvLQcov Xhyvpcordriq re kol evpiov-
aordrrj, 1 Kal /caraSet rcov iprjfjLalwv ywpLtov
evaropceLrara opvlOcov Kal ropcorara. Xiyovav he
koI rd Kpea avrfjs is dypwnviav XvoireXeiv,
TTOvrjpol fiev odv ol rocavrrjs rpo(f>rjs Bairvpioves
Kal dfiaOets Becvcos' 7TOvrjp6v 8e to €k rijs rpocfyfjs
Swpov, <f>vyfj vttvqv, rod Kal Oecov Kal avdpcorrcov
fiaatXiais, d>S "Oprqpos Xeyet,

44. Twv yepdvcov at KXayyal koXovgiv opbfipovs,
ws <f>aow 6 Se iyKe<f>aXos yvvaiKtov is %dpiv
d<f>poSlaiov 2 e^et rwds tvyyas, et rep 3 iWot
T€Kp,r}pitocraL ol irpeoroi <f>vXd£avre$ ravra,^

45. TV7TC0V 7TT€pd €t #U/Ztaff€t€ 5 TtS, COS" aKOVO),

Kal ck efycoXeeov Kal i£ elXvwv rovs 6<f>ets irpod^ei
paara.

To £epov 6 6 8pvoKoXd7TT7}$ i£ od Spa 7 Kal
K€KXr]Tat. e%ct puev yap pdpb</>os eTTLKvprov, KoXd-
irrei Se dpa rovrip rds Bpvs, *at ivravBoi 8 cos
is KaXcdv rovs veorrovs ivrlBt\aiv 3 ov derjOels
Kap<j>a)v Kal rijs i£ avrcov irXoKrjs Kal oiKoSopLLas
ovSe ev. ovkovv et res XtOov ivOels itn<f>pd£;€L€ rep
opveep rep irpoeiprjpLevcp rrjv ecrSucrtv, o Se avp,j3aXcbv
rrjv impovXrjv 9 /co/uf ei ttoov i^Opdv rep XlOcp
Kal Kar* avrov ridrfow 6 Se ota fiapovptevos Kal
fxrj <f>ipa>v i£dXXerai y Kal dveepyev av9i$ rep rrpoet-
prjptevep r) $iXt) V7roSpofJL7j.

1 evvovardrrj. 2 afooBicrlav. 8 rrov.

4 aw*a. 5 Ovficdaav.

6 to £<3ov] t,$ov Se. 7 Jac : a/ia-

8 gvtolvBoZ KoiXdvas rov tottqv,

6 4

ON ANIMALS, I. 43~45

43. Among birds the Nightingale has the clearest ^ Mingale
and most musical voice, and fills solitary places with

its most lovely and thrilling note. Further, they
say that its flesh is good for keeping one awake.
But people who feast upon such food are evil and
dreadfully foolish. And it is an evil attribute of
food that it drives sleep away — sleep, the king of
gods and men, as Homer says [//. 14. 233].

44. The screaming of Cranes brings on showers, so The Crane
they say, while their brain possesses some kind of

spell that leads women to grant sexual favours — if
those who first observed the fact are sufficient
guarantee.

45. If a man burn the feathers of a Vulture (so I Vulture's
am told), he will have no difficulty in inducing snakes

to quit their dens and lurking-places.

The bird ' Woodpecker ' derives its name from what ^ e odpecker
it does. For it has a curved beak with which it pecks
oak-trees, and deposits its young in them as in a
nest ; and it has no need at all of dry twigs woven
together or of any building. Now if one inserts a
stone and blocks up the entrance for the aforesaid
bird, it guesses that there is a plot afoot, fetches
some herb that is obnoxious to the stone, and places
it against the stone. The latter in disgust and un-
able to endure <the smell) springs out, and once
again the bird's caverned home lies open to it.

9 €TTi^OvXrjV T7)V KOLT CtVTOV,

VOL. I.

65

D

AELIAN

46. 01 ovvoSovres ovk elcrl fiovicu, ovSe rrjv a7r'
dXXrjXcov ipr}p,tav re Kal htatpeaw avlyovrai.
(fnXovai 8e avvayeXd^eoQai kclO* rjXiKiav. Kal ol
fikv vecorepoi Kara tXas vrjxovrat, °t $e ivreXecrre-
poi vrdXiv Kowfj* t<al ro rov Xoyov rovro fjXtt;
-fjXiKa Kal €K€lvol repirovai, rrapovres irapovoiv cos
eraipois Kal <f>LXois €K rcov avrcov iTnrrjSevfidrojV'
re Kal Starpificbv. reyya£>ovrai he rtpos rovs
Orjparas oirota, orav dXtevs dvrjp ro is avrovs
heXeap KaQfj, rrepieXOovres rrdvres Kal KVKXooe
yevo\ievoi is dXXrjXovs 6p(x>oiv 3 oiovel ovvQy\p,a eKa-
err os eKaara) hihovres [vr\re TrXrjcidoai firjre dxjsaudai
rov Ka6eip,€Vov SeXedcrfjuaros . Kal oc pikv irapare-
raypuevoi is rovro drpepiovoiv €K Se 1 dXXorpcas
dyeXrjs crvvoScov d(f>lKero t Kal KararrLvei ro dyKtar-
pov, iprjfMcas Xafichv 2 puoOov rrjv dXwow. Kal 6
fiev dvaoirarai, ol he yhr) Oappovow cos ovx
dXwaofievot, Kal Kara^povrjoavres ovrco Orjpcdvrat.

47. Qpvyerai hta rov Oipovs 6 Kopa£ rep St^et
KoXa^ouevos, Kal Boa rrjv riacopLav aaprvpoiLevos \
ws <paoi. feat rrjv airiav Aeyovaiv eKeivr\v. o
'AttoXXcov avrov depdirovra ovra vSpevcrofievov
drtottepmev 6 he evrvyxdvei Xrjico j3a8et \xev s en
he xAcopa), Kal puevei ear dv adov yevrjr at t rcov
irvptov rrapaxvavoai /3ovX6jJLevos> Kal rov rtpoordy-
fxaros chXtycoprjcre . Kal viiep rovrcov iv rfj
fxdXiora avx^rjpordrr] copa hufscov hUas eKrlves.
rovro eoiKe puvQtp fiev, eiprjoOto S' ovv rfj rov Oeov
athoZ. .

66

ON ANIMALS, I. 46-47

46. The Four-toothed Sparus is not solitary nor The Four-
does it endure loneliness and separation from its Sp arus
kind. These fish love to congregate together
according to their age: the younger ones swim
about in shoals, the maturer ones also keep together.

And as the saying is true 1 A friend must be of one's
own age/ a so these creatures delight to be where
others of their kind are, like comrades and friends
sharing the same pursuits and resorts. And these
are the means they devise for evading their pursuers.
Whenever an angler drops a bait for them they all
gather round and forming a ring look at one another
as though each were signalling to each not to
approach and not to touch the bait that has been
lowered. And those that have been posted for this
purpose remain still. But a Sparus from some other,
strange shoal arrives and swallows the bait, and gets
the reward of its solitariness by being caught. So while
he is being drawn up, the rest grow bolder as though
they were not going to be taken, and so through their
scorn <of danger) are caught.

47. All through the summer the Eaven is afflicted TheEaven,
with a parching thirst, and with his croaking (so they lts thirst
say) declares his punishment. And the reason they

give is this. Being a servant he was sent out by
Apollo to draw water. He came to a field of corn,
tall but still green, and waited till it should ripen,
as he wanted to nibble the wheat : to his master's
orders he paid no heed. On that account in the
driest season of the year he is punished with thirst.
This looks like a fable, but let me repeat it out of
reverence for the god.

« The full phrase is iJAt£ yjXiKa re/wet, cp. PL PJmedr. 240 C.

6j

AELIAN

48. e Kopa^ y opviv avrov (jjaoiv lepov, /cat
'AnoXXajvos aKoXovOov etvai Xeyovat. ravrd roc
/cat fzavTLKots crvfifSoXots dyaBov ofxoXoyovat rov
avrov, /cat orrevovral ye npos rrjv £k€lvov fiorjv ol
avvtevres opvLBow /cat eSpas /cat KXayyds /cat
TTrrjaeis avrcbv rj Kara Xacav X € W a V K wrd

UpoaaKova) Se /cat tod KopaKos fieXalveiv rpt^as*.
/cat XPV T ° v BoXovvra rrjv eavrov Kopjqv eXaiov iv
rw arofjiari e^etv crvfApivaavra* el Se ^77, /cat ot
SBovres avrw avv rfj rpiyl fxeXalvovrat Svo-eKrrXvroi
re /cat SvaeKvnrrot.

49. f fxepoiff to opveov e/x7raAtv <j>aui rois aX~
Xocs diraav rrererai' rd fxev yap is rovp,7rpooQev
terat /cat /car' SfiOaXfjiovs, 6 ok is rovrrlcra). /cat
erreioi ju,ot OavpA^ew rrjv </>vcriv rrjs imcrfjiov /cat
irapaho^ov /cat drjOovs <)>opa$, rjv e/cetvo arret 1 ro

50. *H fJLVpawd orav 6pp,rjs d<f>poSialov V7ro7rXr)-
vQfjy rrpoeiow is rrjv yfjv, /cat ofuXiav rroQei
vv[i<f>lov /cat juaAa Trovrjpov- irdpeioi yap els e^ea»?
(f>o)Xe6v, /cat ap,<f>a> av pwrXeKovr ai. rjSr] Se <j>aai
/cat 6 ext-S olarprjoas /cat e/cetvo? eV /uf «> d<f>tKvetrat
77/50? r^i^ OdXarrav, /cat ofov et KatfiaarTjs crvv rep
avXw dvpOKonel, ovra> roc /cat e/cetvo? ovplaas rrjv
ipcofxevqv 77-apa/caAet, /cat aur^ Trpoeivi? rrjs
(f>vae(Ds rd aAA^Acov oicpKiafxeva avvayovurjs is
imOvpLiap tyju ofiolav /cat kqvtov rov avrov.

1 ay«. 2 <?es : trpoa-.

68

ON ANIMALS, I. 48-50

48. The Raven, they say, is a sacred bird and The^Eaven,
attends upon Apollo : that is why men agree that nation

it is also of use in divination, and those who under-
stand the positions of birds, their cries, and their
flight whether on the left or on the right hand, are
able to divine by its croaking.

I am also informed that Raven's eggs turn the **» iss 3
hair black. And it is essential for anyone who is
dyeing his hair to keep olive oil in his mouth and his
lips closed. Otherwise his teeth also turn black
along with his hair, and they are hardly to be washed
white again.

49. The Bee-eater flies (so they say) in precisely The Bee-
the opposite way to all other birds, for they move
forward in the direction in which they look, while the
Bee-eater flies backwards. And I am astonished at

the remarkable, incredible, and uncommon character
of the motion with which this creature wings its way. .

50. Whenever the Moray is filled with amorous Moray and
impulses it comes out of the sea on to land seeking
eagerly for a mate, and a very evil mate. For it

goes to a Viper's den and the pair embrace. And
they do say that the male Viper also in its frenzied
desire for copulation goes down to the sea, and just
as a reveller with his flute knocks at the door, so the
Viper also with his hissing summons his loved one,
and she emerges. Thus does Nature bring those that
dwell far apart together in a mutual desire and to a
common bed.

69

AELIAN

" 51. f Paxt? dvOptoirov veKpov cfacrtv VTTOcrrjnofXe-

VOV TOV fJLVtXoV 7]§7] Tp€7T€L €ff 0</>W Kal €K7Tl7TT€t, TO
97}plOV 3 Kal €p7T€L TO 1 dyplCOTaTOV €K TOV rjjxepcoTd-

tov Kal tcov fxev KaXcov Kal dyaOcov to, Xdifsava
dvaTraverai, Kal ddXov rjcruxtav, woirep o3v

Kal rj faxr) tcov toiovtcov to, ahofxeva t€ /cat
vpvovpueva €K twv aocf>cov 7rov7]pa)V Se dvdpcoTTCov
pdx^is rotaura tiktovgi Kal pueTa tov fiiov. t)
toLwv to Ttav avOos icTTtVy 7i, el tovt diftevScos 2
7X€-rriaT€VTai ) 7TOvrjpov vtKpos, cos Kpweiv ep,e,
o<j>€COS yeviaQai 7TaTrjp tov Tpo-rrov fiiadov rjveyKaTO.

52. XeAtStov Se dpa Trjs copas ttjs dptVTrjs
VTTotrqpaLvei tt)v emSrjpblav. Kal eWt tf>iXdv9pco7To$,
Kal yatoet TtoSe tlo tcoco 6acop6<j>ios ovaa 3 Kai
aKArjTOS atbiKveiTat,, /cat ot€ ot cpiAov /cat e^ 6t
/caAais, a7raAAaTTerat. /cat ot ye dvOpcoirot vvohe-
Xovrai avTrjv /caTa tov ttJs' 'OpurjpiKTjs tjevlas
deapiov, os /ceAeuet /cat cfiiXdv tov 3 ixapovTa Kal
Uvai f3ovX6p,evov diro7T£^7reLV .

53. "Exet rt -rrXeoveKTrjpa t) alt; ty)v tov rrvey-
fjLaTOS iap07]V ) cos ol vop,€VTiKol Xoyoc 4 <j>acnv.
dvattv€i yap Kal Sta, tcov cotcov Kal 8ta tcov
uvKT-nptov, Kal attjQwTiKcoTaTOV tcov St^Acov eWt.
Kal tt)v yukv avriav €17T€lv ovk otda, o oe otoa
tovto elirov, d Se Troviqpa UpopbrjOecos Kal a?£, tL
f3ovX6p,€yos tovto dpydoaTO, elMvai /caTaAt/wrava>
auTOV.

1 £$01/ TO.

2 ratJra ovtcdol MSS, t. opPcD? (?es.

3 ^c'vov i? (1876). 4 \6yoL /cat ttol[1€vlkqI.

70

ON ANIMALS, !. 5*~53

51. The spine of a dead man, they say, ^nsforms
the putrefying marrow into a snake. I he brute
emerges, and from the gentlest of beings crawls forth
the fiercest. Now the remains of those that were
fine and noble are at rest and their reward is peace,
even as the soul also of such men has the rewards
which wise men celebrate in their songs. J3ut it is
from the spine of evildoers that such evil monsters
are begotten even after life. The fact is, the whole
story is either a fable, or if it is to be relied upon as
true, then the corpse of a wicked man receives (so I
think) the reward of his ways in becoming the
progenitor of a snake.

52. A Swallow is a sign that the best season of the The^
year is at hand. And it is friendly to man and takes
pleasure in sharing the same roof with this being.
It comes uninvited, and when it pleases and sees ht,
it departs. Men welcome it in accordance with the
law of hospitality laid down by Homer -[Od. 15.
72-41, who bids us cherish a guest while he is with
us and speed him on his way when he wishes to
leave.

53. The Goat has a certain advantage <over other The Goat,^
animals) in the manner of taking breath, as the
narratives of shepherds tell us, for it inhales through
its ears as well as through its nostrils, and has a
sharper perception than any other cloven-hooted
animal. The cause of this I am unable to tell ; 1
have only told what I know. But if the^Goat
also was a creation of Prometheus, what the
intention of this contrivance was, I leave him to
determine.

7*

AELIAN

54. KaJ €X €C0S ^rjyfjua Kal o<f>ecos dXXov <f>a<xlv
avTiTrdXcov put] hiapuapTavew (ftapfiaKcov . Kal toe.
pep avrtov aKovco TTWjxaTa 1 elvai, ra Se %/u/mTa 2 .
Kal irraoiSal Se enpdvvav tov 3 iyxpwdivTa lov,
dcrmSos Se aKOvw pLOvrjs 4 Brjyfia dviarov etvai Kal
irriKOVplas Kp&TTOv. kol paoeiv a£iov to tq>ov
rrjs evKXrjplas rrjs is to KaKov. dXXd Kal rovrov
0-qptov pLiapcorepov Kal d<f>vXaKTOTepov yvvfj <f>app,a-
ki$ 9 olav aKovop,€V Kal rrjv M^Setow Kal TTjv
Ktp/cqv* ra pbev yap r<hv doirihayv <f>dppLaKa
8r}yp,aros 5 epya iari, rd Se iKetvwv dvaipel 6 Kal
€K p,6v7}$ ttjs d<f>7]$, </>aoiv.

55. Kvvcov daXarricjv rpla yevr}. Kal ol /xev
avrcov etcrL pueyeOei piiyiaroi, Kal Krjrtov iv rots'
aXKLficDrdroig dpidpuolvTo dv yivt] Se Bvo rd
XotTrd, TTTjXatot fiev rrjv <f>vcriv } TTporjKovcri Se is
irrjxvv to piiyeOos^ Kal tovtcov ol puev KareoTiyp^e-
vol KaXolvTO dv yaXeol, KevTplvas Se oVo/xafcov
tovs Xotrrovs ovk dv SiajjuapTavocs . ol pbkv ovv
ttoikLXoi kol TTjv Sopdv etoi fxaXaKcoTepoi Kal ttjv
K€<f>aXr)v TrXaTVTepot,* ol he erepot crKXypol 8 ttjv
hopdv ovtcs 9 ttjv K€(f>aXr)v Se dvriKovoav is d£v

€%OVT€S TTjV XU XP° aV €S T0 A€VKOV OTTOKplVOVTai.

K€.vrpa Se dpa avTOts ovpurri^VKe to p,ev 11 Kara
TTjv Xocfudv, oj$ dv eirrois, to Se fcara ttjv ovpdv*
OKXrjpd Se dpa ra KevTpa Kal dTretOrj iari, Kal lov

1 wop- mss always. 2 xp^ a l xa ' ra -

3 TLVOiV. 4 fiOVOV.

5 Schni Kal Sijy/taros. 6 dvaipetv.

7 fieyedos /cat rov fikv avroty yaXeov rov Se KevTplrqv <j>t,\ovotv

72

ON ANIMALS, I. 54-55

54 They say that the bite of the Viper and of ~us
other snakes is not without countering remedies.
Some, I am told, are to be drunk, others are to be
applied; spells too can mitigate poison injected by
a sting. But the bite of the Asp • alone, I am told,
cannot be cured and is beyond help This creature
truly deserves to be hated for being blessed with the
power to injure. Yet amonster more abominable and
harder to avoid even than the Asp is a sorceress, such
as (we are told) Medea and Circe were, for the
poison from Asps is the result of a bite, whereas
sorceresses kill by a mere touch, so they say.

55 There are three kinds of Sea-hound." Thenar*
first is of enormous size and may be reckoned among
the most daring of sea monsters.' The others are of
two kinds, they live in the mud and reach to a cubit
in length. Those that are speckled one may call
gaUm (small shark), and the rest, if you call them
Spiny Dog-fish you will not go far wrong. Now the
speckled ones have a softer skin and a flatter head
while the others, whose skin is hard and whose head
tapers to a point, are distinguished from the rest by
the whiteness of their skin. Moreover nature has
provided them with spines, one on their crest, so to
say, the other in the tail. And these spines are
hard and resisting and emit a kind of poison. Oitne

a The Eevptian cobra, Naia haie.

» The terms 0^ *6w and ya\*6s signify both dog-fish
and shark. See Isfdex II.
c i.e. the shark.

73

AELIAN

Ti rrpoafidXAei. dXLaKerai Se rcov kvvcov rcov

OjJLLKpCOV TCOvSe €K&T€pOV (j6 cbOXoV^ 1 €K rfjs

IXvos Kal rod rnqXov, Kal 7] ay pa, eliretv avrrjv ov
X&pov ' ivri. BeXeap avrtov KaOiacrw IxOvv XevKov
€KT€rr\ur\p»€vov rrjv payw. orav rolwv els dXco Kal
rep dyKiarpco TT^pirriari , rrdvreg ol deaud\ievoi
ifi7T7]Scb<nv 2 avrcp Kal 3 KartoBev iXKOfievco errov-
rat 4 Kal p*ixP l T l s vechs ovk dvaoreXXofjuevov, cbs
et/cacrat C^XorvirLa hpav ravra avrovs, ota eKelvov
ri tcop is rpo<f>rjv eavrto fiovcp TroOev aTrocruXijorav-
ros' Kal is rrjv vavv ye avrrjv iaeirrfhiqadv rives
TroXXaKis, Kal eKovres edXcoaav.

56. Trjs rpvyovos rrjs daXarrias to Kevrpov
iarlv drrpoapbaxov. eKevrtjae yap Kal direKreive
7rapaxpfjp>a y Kal Trechp'iKaow avrrjs roSe to oVAov
Kal ol rcov dXcecov Betvol rd OaXdrrta- ovre ydp
dXXos Idcrerai to rpavfj,a ovre r) rpcocraaa' p>ovr\
ydp, cos to €lkos, rfj UrjXiooTtBi fJieXlrj 5 rovro
ihehoro.

57. Aeirrov 6 Srjplov 6 Kepduriqs. ecm Se 8<f>is,
Kal vrrep rod puercoTrov Kepara e^et Svo, Kal eocKe
rocs rov koxXLov rd Kepara, ov pu-qv iarw cbs
iKelvtov drraXd. ovkovv rots p>ev aXAois rcov
Atfivcov elol rroXifjiioL' eari he. avrols Trpos rovs
KaXovpuevovs WvXXovs evaiTOvha, olrrep odv ovre
avrol haKovrcov i7ratovm, 7 Kal rovs rep rotovrco

1 <<£uAoy> add. Beiske, <ro> add. H.

2 crufjLTrrjScocnv. 3 Kal rot.
4 ZTTovrai re.

6 Jteiske : jSoA^ v. I. fiovrj.

74

ON ANIMALS, I. 55~57

small Dog-fish both kinds are caught in the ooze and
mud, and the manner of catching them I may as well
explain. By way of bait men let down a white nsn
out of which they have cut the backbone. Directly
one of the Dog-fish is caught and hooked, all those
that have seen him make a rush for him and tollow
him as he is drawn upwards, never stopping until
they reach the boat. One might imagine that they
do this out of envy, as though he had filched some
piece of food from somewhere and all for mmseii.
And it often happens that some of them actually
leap into the boat and are caught of their own free

56. The barb of the Sting-ray nothing can with-
stand. It wounds and kills instantly, and even
those fishermen who have great knowledge ol the
sea dread its weapon.. For no man can heal tne
wound, nor will the creature that inflicted it; that
was a gift vouchsafed, most probably, to the ashen
spear from mount Pelion alone."

57. The Cerastes is a small creature ; it is a snake, The^
and above its brow it has two horns, and these horns

are like those of the snail, though unlike the snail s
they are not soft. Now these snakes are the enemies
of all other Libyans, but towards the Psylli, as they
are called, they are gently disposed, for the ^Psylh and *e
are insensible to their bites and have no difficulty
« The spear of Achilles was made from an ash-tree on xat
Pelion (Horn. II 16. 143). Telephus, wounded by the spear,
was afterwards cured by the rust from it.

6 Aew/cdv. 7 eWoucrt rtov Si}y/xaTO>v.

75,

AELIAN

KaKw TrepiTTeaovras tcbvrat, pdura. /cat 6 rpoiros,
e.av TTplv rj 7Tp7)<j9rjvai to irdv acbfxa a<f>lt<r)Tal ns
tcDv iKefflev kXtjtos rj Kara rvxyv, etra to /xev
crrofia vSari i kkXv<tt)t at , 1 aVov/i/n? Se ras X€tpas
iripa), kcu TTtetv rw SrjxOevrt $a> eKarepov, dvep-
pwcrOr) re e/cetvo? Kal kolkov ttolvtos i£dvr7]s to
ivrevOeu icrrc, hiappei 8e Kal Xoyos Atf3vKos 6
X4yo)v 3 WvXXov dvSpa rrjv iavxov yap,€rr)v v<f>o-
pda'dac Kal pLiaeiv <hs \L^.\Lov)(£V[Livf]v Kal \lIvtoi
koL to i£ avrfjs f$p£<j>os VTTOTrrevew <hs voOov re
Kal rq> vferipa) yivti KifiBrjXov. mlpav ovy
KaQeivat, Kal /xaAa iXeyKTtKTjv <f>aow avrov. Xdp~
vaKa 7TXr)pebara$ Kepacrr&v ifxpdXXet 2 to f$p€<f>os,
olovel TTVpl tov ^pvaov re^irrjs to TratSiov i^eXey-
yoyv e/cetvo? rfj aTrodiaei. Kal ol fiev 7TapaxpfjfjLa
iTravLaravro Kal rjyp[aivov Kal ttjv GVfi<f)vrj Aca/ciav
rjrrecXovv iirel Se to TraiStoP avra>v Trpoaiifsavozv ,
ol Se ifiapdvOrjcrav, Kal ivrevOev 6 Aifivs eyvco ov
voOov dXXd yovov yviqalov iraTrfp wv. Xiyovrai Se
Kal tcov iripaiv SaKerwv Kal <f>aXayyla)v 8k
dvTLTraXo t ToSe to yivos etvai. Kal ravrd ye et
reparevovrat, Agues', ovk ifie, aAA* avrovs aTrarcov-
T€$ IvTOiaav.

58. WLeXirrcov Se i7TipovXoi Kal i%9pol ec€V dv
€K€lvol } ol re alyidaXot KaXoV{JL€VOL Kal rd TOVTCOV
veorrta Kal ol a<f>7]K€s Kal at xeAtBoWs 1 Aral ol
octets Kal at <f>dXayy€$ Kal at "\Xvyyav\? Kal at

1 emKAvoTjrai..

2 Ges : koX e/AjSaAAet.

3 Xvyyai 1 vox nihili,' ^ahXaivai {or Spvvai, cp. Arist. HA 626 a
30) Qow.

76

x/
%

ON ANIMALS, I. S7-5 8

in curing those who have fallen victims to this
venomous creature. Their method is this : if one
of that tribe arrive, whether summoned or by chance,
before the whole body is inflamed, and if he then
rinse his mouth with water and wash the bitten man's
hands and give him the water from both to drink,
then the victim recovers and thereafter is free from
all infection. And there is a story current among
the Libyans that, if one of the Psylli suspects his wife
and hates her on the ground that she has committed
adultery ; and if moreover he suspects that the child
born from her is a bastard and no true member of his
tribe, he then puts it to a very severe test : he fills
a chest with Cerastae and drops the baby among
them, just as a goldsmith places gold in the fire, and
puts the infant to the proof by thus exposing him.
And immediately the snakes surge up in anger and
threaten the child with their native poison. But
directly the infant touches them, they wilt, and then
the Libyan knows that he is the father of no bastard
but of one sprung of his own race. This tribe is said
also to be the enemy of other noxious beasts and of
malmignattes.

Well, if the Libyans are here romancing, I would
have them know that it is not I but themselves
that they are deceiving.

58. The following creatures plot and make war Bees and
against Bees : the creatures known as Titmice and enemies
their young, also Wasps and Swallows and Snakes and
Spiders and [Moths ?]. Bees are afraid of these, and

77

AELIAN

pukv SeStacrt ravra, ol S' ovv fjueXirrovpyol iXav-
vovgiv avrd air avrwv r) Kow^av irnOvfiLdoavres
rj ^Aa>pdv ert pLrjKcova rrpo rcov crififiXcov Karaarr\"
aavres r) Karaarpcoaavres . Kal ravra p,€v rots

dXXoiS ix@P& €QTL T0LS TTpOeLprjfJLdvQlS, G(j)TjKOiV 8e

dXajacs iKGLvr] 1 av etrj. KVprov aTraprrjaai xprj
rrpo rrjs ar<f>7]Kia$ Kal ivQzivat avrw Xeirrr)v pbepb-
fipdSa rj fjLawlha oXtyrjv Kal crvv tovtois laiira r)
^aA/aSa 1 ol 8e o<f>r)K€s vtto rrjs ep,<j>vTOv yaorpipuap-
yias iXf<6fji,€vo(,, KaXovvros avrovs (rody 2 Se-
Xedapbaros, ioTrvnrovo-iv ddpooi, Kal TrepiXafiovros
avrovs rod KVprov ovk eorrtv avrois rrjv orrlcra)

OVK€TL €K7TTr)vat. Z Kal OL OOVpOl 8<£ ilTlfiovXeVOVOl

rats pbeXlrrats Kal ol KpoKoScXot ol %€paaioi'
SXeOpos 8e Kal tovtois imrerixy 7 ]^ 1 iKecvos*
dXfara yap iXXefiopaj hevoavres rj TidvpbaXXov ottco
V7Tox€avT€s 4 rj fiaXax^s X v ^ ^^Trecpovat rrpo
rcov alfJbfiXcov rd dXfara* oTrep odv oXeOpov <f>ep<zt,
rots 7Tpoecpr}p,€voi,s aTToyevaapbivois avrwv. ififta-
Aojv $€ is rrjv Xlfivrjv (f>X6fjiov <£uAAa rj Kapva
drrwXeae rovs yvpivovs 6 rcbv pLeXirrcov SeaTrorrjs
paura. at 8e (fjdXXaivac 5 drroXXwrai vvKrojp, ivaK-
fidCovros 6 Xvxvov rzQevros rrpo rwv apwjvcov
Kal ayyeicov iXalov 7T€7rXr]poou,€va)v to> Xvyvoj
vrroKeifjLevcov at oe rrpos rrjv avyrjv Treropue-
vai ifiTrtrrrovrnv is to ZXaiov Kal drroXcoXauiv
iripa)S 8e ovk dv alpeOetev paora. ol 8e alylOaXot

1 Schn : dXaxxeLS eVeira.

2 {rovy add. Jac.

3 ZKTTTrjvai, Kal v$<op S* civ avrcov KaraaKehdaas paov huxfiQtipats
av avrovs, Kal irvp i^dipas kcltou p-qaais.

4 viTOX^ovres.

78

ON ANIMALS, I. 58

so bee-keepers try to drive them away by using flea-
bane as a fumigant or by placing or scattering pop-
pies still green before the hives. Most of the
aforesaid creatures dislike these things, but the way
to catch Wasps is as follows. You should hang up a
cage in front of the Wasps' nest and insert a little
smelt or a small sprat and with them a minnow or a
sardine. And the Wasps, drawn by their natural greed
and lured by the bait, fall into the cage in numbers,
and once they are trapped, it is no longer possible for
them to fly out again. Lizards also have designs upon
Bees, so too have Land-crocodiles. a But a means
has been devised of destroying them too, thus:
soak some meal in hellebore, or pour upon it the sap
of spurge or the juice of mallow and scatter it
about in front of the hives. This is death to the
aforesaid creatures, once they have tasted of it. If
a bee-keeper drop the leaves of mullein or nuts b into
a pool, he will find it the simplest way of destroying
Tadpoles. But Moths c are destroyed at night-
time by the placing of a strong light in front of the
hives and vessels full of oil below the light. And
the Moths fly to the brightness and fall into the oil
and are killed. Otherwise they would not be caught
so very easily. But the Titmice, once they have

a 1 The " crocodile " is the Psammosaurus griseus, a land
lizard, which reaches a size of 3 feet ' (How-Wells on Hdt.
4. 192).

b Perhaps some word has been lost indicating what kind of
nut is intended.

c This may be the Wax-moth, which is found in bees' nests,
its larvae eating the comb ; or it may be one of the Hawk-
moths (fam. Sphingidae) which enter the nests for honey.

5 Ges : ^dXayyes MSS, H. 6 evavyd&vros.

79

AELIAN

a\<f>LTtov ohco $iaf}paxevTO)V aTroyevodfievoi Kaprf-
fiapovow, elra ttLittovgi, Kal Kelpevoi cmalpovvi,,
koX elvlv alpedfyai fyeAototf, 1 avairr^vai fiev
wnevhovres, apxty Se dvao-rfyai fxr} ^vvdfxtvot,.
ol 8e r-qv x^XiSova aldoi rrjs puovcrcKrjs ovk djTOKrel-
vovut, KalroL paSlojs av avrrjv 2 toSto Spdaavres-
aTToxpr) Se avrots KO)Xvew rrjv x^tSova irkqalov
rwv alfJbpXcov KaXiav VTTOTrfjfjai.

'ATrexOdvovrat 8e apa at fJueXirrac KaKOorfila
rrdori Kal p,vpcp Sfiolcos, ovre to <$vaa>$es UTro/xe'-
vovaai ovre daTratd/xevat rrjs evojdlas to redpvp,-
fj,evov, ota SrjTTov Kopai daretat re koX ad><f>poves
to fiev jSSeAuTrd/xevat rrjs 8e virep^povovaai,

59. Kvpos p,iv, cos <j>aoiv 3 6 TTpeofivrepos /xe'ya
€<f>pov€i iirl tols jSaoxAetW rots iv UepoeTroXei?
otairep odv avros oJKoSopLrjcraro, Aapetos^ 8e em
tt) KaraoKevfj rfj roov OLKoBofi-qfxdrwv rcbv Sou-
<reta>v 4 * /cat yap 5 iKeivos iv Ttovaots ra dSd/xeva
iKeiva elpydaaro. Kupo? Se 6 hevrepos iv AuSta
Trapdheioov avros Kare^vrevae rats X e Pf L TC "^
fiaviXiKois iv 6 rocs dfipois eWvot? x iT f wat Ka \
rols repnvois €K€lvols Kal fteya thiols XlOois, /cat
iirl rovrw 7 ye iniaXAvvero /cat -rrpos aXXovs fiev
rwv * EAAtjjw, drdp odv Kal irpos Avvavhpov rov
AafceSat/xoViov, ore rjXde rrpos^ rov Kvpov 6
AvoavBpos is rr]v AvSlav. Kal virep /xev rovrcov

1 erolfjLOL Gow, ye oloi J ac, paSiot Lorenz,

2 Oud : avri} mss, H would delete.

4 Reiske : Sovcr«i>. 5 Kal yap kcu.

6 G £ Vt 7 TOVTOIS*

8o

ON ANIMALS, I. 5^59

tasted the wine-steeped ™^^ e ^^y(?)
they fall over and lie quivering and c ^ re ^ U ^

£,~r bl 4n«| T - "

th lSn S * Bees dislike all bad smells and perfume
they cannot endure foul odours nor do
thev welcome a luxurious fragrance even as modest
SLdg^abhor the former while despising the

latter.

SSs beautiful jewels of great pnce, . .
fLrdens in Lydia and prided himself on the tact
Se alUhe Greeks and even before Lysander the
gartan len Lysander came to visit tan » Lydra.

of S«ft

Alexander the Great. Persia, 521-485 B.C.,

The * Gardens ' were at Sardes. ^

AELIAN

aBovaiv ol avyy panels , at Be rcov pueXirrcov
olkoBo fiat aocfcorepai odcrac Kara rroXv Kal rex~
vyjiorepai, 1 aXka rovrcov ye 2 ovBe oXtyrjv edevro
wpav €K€ivot [lev yap ttoXXovs 3 XvTTTjGavres
elpydoavro oaa elpydcravro- ovBev Be dpa rjv
fxeXcrrcov €i>xctpiTa)T€pov> iirel pbrjBe oocfycbrepov
r\v. TTpibrovs piev yap ipyd^ovrai rovs OaXdjiovs
rovs rcov fiacriXecov, Kal evpvx<oplav e^ovaiv ovroi 3
Kal elalv dvwrepor Kal epKos Be irepifidXAovcri
tovtois, olovel retxos etvai Kal TrepLfioXov, drroae-
ixvvvovaai Kal gk rovrov rrjv oiKiqow rr)V fiaoiXeiov.
Biaipovai Be avrds is rpLa Kal ovv Kal rds
olKrjaeis rds iavrwv is roaavra, al puev yap
rtpeo^vrarai 4 yeirvicoai rfj rcov fiacnXecov avXfjf*
al Be vecorarai 6 fxerd ravras 7 olkovctw, al Be iv
yjpTj Kal dKp,fj ovaat i^corepco iKelvcov } cos etvai
rds {JLcv rrpeofivrdras cf>povpovs rcov fiaoriXecov, rds
Be vedviBas epKos rcov vecordrcov.

60, Aiyei fxiv ns Xoyos aKevrpovs etvai rovs
rovrcov fiaoiXias* Xiyei Be Kal erepos Kal rrdvv
ippcopieva rd Kevrpa avfnrecpvKevai avrois Kal
TeOriypiiva dvBpeiorara' ovre Be in* dvBpt irore
Xprjcrdai, avrois ovre iirl rats pieXirrais, dXXa avp,7re~
7rXda6at chofiov dXXcos' fir} yap Oipas etvai rov
dpxovra Kal rcov roaovrcov ecbopov KaKov ipyd-
aaoQai. Kal rds pueXlrras Be ras Xoirrds ofioXo-
yovcrw ol rovrcov imariq proves iv oijtei rcov dpxovrcov
rcov crcperipayv viroKXiveiv rd Kevrpa, olovel rfjs

1 Pauw : Tas Se . . . oiVoSo/ids' oo^corepas ovaas . . .

2 V7T€p TOVTCOV. 3 TToXv KOL TToXXoVS,

82

ON ANIMALS, I. 59-6°

Historians celebrate these constructions, but the
dwellings of Bees which are far cleverer and exhibit
a greater skill, of these they take not the slightest
notice. And yet, while those monarchs wrought
what they wrought through the affliction of multi-
tudes, there never was any creature more gracious
than the Bee, just as there is none ^cleverer Ine
first things that they construct are the chambers oi
their kings, and they are spacious and above all the
rest. Round them they put a barrier, as it were a
wall or fence, thereby also enhancing the importance
of the royal dwelling. And they divide themselves
into three grades, and their dwellings accordingly
into the same number. Thus, the eldest dwel
nearest the royal palace, arid the latest born dwell
next to them, while those that are young and m the
prime of life are outside the latter. In this way tte
eldest are the king's bodyguard, and the youthiul
ones are a protection to the latest born.

60. According to one story the King Bees are *ta
stingless; according to another they are born with
stings of great strength and trenchant sharpness;
and yet they never use them against a man nor
against bees: the stings are a pretence, an empty
scare, for it would be wrong for one who rules and
directs such numbers to do an injury. And those
who understand their ways bear witness to the tact
that the other Bees when in presence of their rulers
withdraw their stings, as though shrinking and giving

6 mSAf; olovel Sopv<j>opot /cat <f>povpoi. ovtol.
6

vecorarat Kai at aOroeretS.
raOra.

83

AELIAN

igovaias afaarafxevas kol napax^povaas . e/cdVe-
pov S' dv Tt? iKTrXayeirj to rcav jSaatAecov iKetvw
€*lt€ yap fjurj exovGL Trodev ahiKiqaovaij fieya rovro*
e'lre /cat 7rapov aSwyjcrai fir) ahiKOvaw, dAAa. rovro
ye jxaKpcp Kpeirrov iartv.

84

ON ANIMALS, I. 60

way before authority. And one might well be
astonished at either of the aforesaid characteristics
in these King Bees: if they have no means ot
injuring, this is remarkable ; if with all the means of
injuring they do no injury, then this is far more to
their credit.

85

BOOK II

B

1. "Orav rd jjOrj rd ra>v ®paKa>v Kal rovs
Kpvfiovs a7ToX€C7TCt)ort rovs ®pq,Kiovs at yepavot 3
a$pol£ovTcu puev is rov c/ E/?pov, XiOov 8' eKaarrj
Karamovcra, <hs e^etv Kal hemvov Kal rrpos rag
ip,j3oXas rwv dvifjLcov €/>/xa, rreipwvrai rod //.eTOt-
Kicrfjiov koX rrjs irrl rov NetAoy 6pp,i}s 3 dXias re
Kal -)(€tp,€piov 1 GWTpo<f>ia$ TToOco rijs iKeWt, fieX-
Xovawv Se avrow aipeaQai Kal rov rrpoaa) e)(ea6at,
6 iraXairaros yepavos TrepteXdtbv ttjv rrauav dyekqv
is Tpi$ 3 etra pbivroi ireawv d<f>irjat, rrjv ^vyrpr.
ivravda 2 ovv ol XolttoI Bdrrrovai pAv rov veKpov,
(frdpovrai Be evOv rrjs AlyvTrrov, rd p/r\Kiara ireXdyq
7T€paLOvp,evoi ra) rapvco rcbv rtrep€iv > Kal ovre
opfii^ovraC 7rov ovre dvairavovrai. airelpovras Be
rov$ Klyvirriovs KaraXapsfldvovGi, Kal rpdrre^av
cbg dv €ittoi$ a<f>9ovov rrjv iv rats dpovpacs evpovres
etra a/cA^rot ^evlaiv pueraXay)(dvovoLv t

. liKrecruai pev ev opeoi Qcoa /cat ev aepi /cat
iv OaXdrrrjy Oavpa ovttoj peya' vXq yap Kal
rpO(f>rj Kal <f>vais r) rovraiv atria' eKyova Be uvpds
TTTTjvd etvai roi>s KaXovpuevovs iropvyovovs, Kal iv
avrw fiiovv Kal reOrjXevai, Kal Bevpo Kal e/cetcre
TrepiTTordadai, rovro iKTrXrjKrtKov \ Kal to ert
6avp,a, orav e£a> rov irvpos rov avvrpo<f>ov €Kvev~

1 tt}s xet/ze/Jiou. 2 evrevBev.

88

BOOK II

1. When Cranes are about to leave their Thracian ^ tion
haunts and the frosts of Thrace, they collect on the C f Cranes
river Hebrus, and when each one has swallowed a
stone by way of food and as ballast against the on-
slaught of winds, they prepare to emigrate and to set

out for the Nile, longing for the warmth and for the
food that is to be had there during the winter.
And just when they are on the point of rising and
moving off, the oldest Crane goes round the entire
flock thrice and then falls to the ground and breathes
his last. So the others bury the dead body on the
spot and fly straight to Egypt, traversing the widest
seas on outstretched wing, never landing, never
pausing to rest. And they fall in with the Egyptians
as they are sowing their fields, and in the ploughlands
they find, so to speak, a generous table, and though
uninvited partake of the Egyptians' hospitality.

2. That living creatures should be born upon the 'Fire-flies'
mountains, in the air, and in the sea, is no great
marvel, since matter, food, and nature are the cause.

But that there should spring from fire winged crea-
tures which men call ' Fire-flies,' 6 and that these
should live and flourish in it, flying to and fro about
it, is a startling fact. And what is more extra-
ordinary, when these creatures stray outside the

Mod. Maritza. t
6 Lit. ' fire-born ' ; these are not what are now called fire-
flies,' and are unknown to modern science.

89

AELIAN

ooyoi Kal depos iftvxpov fxeraXdxcoocVy 1 ivravSa Srj
redvrjKaoL. Kal rjrts rj air la riKreaOaL [lev Ttvpt,
dipt Se diroXXvoOai, Xeyerojoav a'AAot.

3. 01 fxev opviOes ol erepoi dvafiaivovrai, cos X6~
yos, at 8e xeAtSoVes- ov, aAAa rovroov ye kvayria
rj pbtizis earl. Kal to alriov othev r) <j>vois . Xeyei
Se 6 TrXeiajv Xqyos on rre(f>piKaat rov Tiypea Kal
BeSot/caat p/q rrore apa TTpoaepjrvaas Xddpq, etra
ipydcrrjrai rpaycpSlav Kaivrp/. r\v Be dpa feat rovro
X^XiBovc Bcbpov £k rrjs <j>vcrea)s, <%s ye e/xe Kptvew,
to ripitcorarov . rnqpayBeiaa rrjv oifjtv Tvepoyais edv
TVXfl* opa add t>9. rl ovv en rov Teipeoiav aBofxey,
Kalroi fxrj evravOl 2 <(fi6vov}, z dAAa Kal ev aBov
ao<f>d>rarov , 4 ws "Opsqpos Xeyei;

4. Z<3a i^rjfjiepa ovrw KeKXrjrac, Xafiovra to
ovofia eK rod puerpov rov Kara rov j3iov riKrerai
yap 5 iv rw ocvco, Kal dvot^xOevros rov GKevovs
rd Be igeTrrr} Kal elBe to <j)Cos Kal re8vr}Kev.
ovkovv TTapeXBetv pukv avrois is rov j8tW eBwKev rj
<f)VGLS, rwv Se iv avrco KaKcbv ippvvaro rrjv Ta%t-
utj\v } p/qre ri rtov IBioiv ovpL<j>op<xyv fjaOypLevois
\ijyre psqv twos twv aXXorplcov pdprvcrt yeyevrjpbe-
vois.

1 jLteraAajScocrt^. 2 ivravOoi.

3 (fiovopy add. H. 4 ao<j>dyrarov ijivx^v.

5 {iev yap.

a Tereus married Procne and later, under false pretences,
her sister- Philomela. To punish him Procne slew their son
Itys and then fled with her sister. When pursued by Tereus

90

ON ANIMALS, II. 2-4

range of the heat to which they are accustomed and
take in cold air, they at once perish. And why they
should be born in the fire and die in the air others
must explain.

3. With other birds the hen is mounted by the cock, Swallow
so they say ; not so Swallows : their manner of coupling mating
is the reverse. Nature alone knows the reason for
this But the common explanation is that the hens
are afraid of Tereus « and fear lest one day he steal
secretly upon them and enact a fresh tragedy. Now
in my opinion the most valuable gift that Nature has
bestowed upon the Swallow is this, that if it chance
to be blinded with a brooch-pin, it regains its sight.

Why then do we continue to sing the praises of
Teiresias, even though he was the wisest of men not
only on earth but also in Hades, as Homer tells us
[Od. 10.493]?

4. There are creatures called Ephemera (living only 'Ephemera'
for a day) 6 that take their name from their span of
life for they are generated in wine, and when the
vessel is opened they fly out, see the light, and die.
Thus it is that Nature has permitted them to come to
life, but has rescued them as soon as possible from
life's evils, so that they are neither aware of their
own misfortune nor are spectators of the misfortune
of others.

all three were changed into birds, T. into a hoopoe (or hawk),
Procne a swallow, Philomela into a nightingale.

° Perhaps the ' Vinegar-fly/ belonging to the genus Droso-
phila.

9*

AELIAN

5. "HSt? [xivroi ns koX doirihos iv /xa/cp<p t$
Xpovw TrXrjyrjv Idaaro rj ro^rjv TrapaXafiwv rj Trvp
VTToixelvas e$ [xdXa rXrjfjiovw r) avay/catW <£ap^a-
kois to kckov, Iva p,r) irpoaoj ipTrvor}, 1 arrjo-as 6
SetAatoy omdaffl Be fiaoiXLoKov to /xtJ/coV eoTi,
Kal fiivTOi Kal 6ea<rd[xevos 6 t&v ofewv ^kiotos
avrbv ovk is dvajSoAas aAAa i* rfjs tov
^varniaros TrpoapoXrjs ados eanv^ d Be avdpcoTros
Karixot pdfiBov, etra TavT-qv cVetw? evBaKOi,
rddvrjKev 6 Kvpios rrjs Xvyov.

6. Trjv tcov BeX(/)Cva)V ^iXoyiovotav Kal to t&v
avTwv ipaiTLKov, to p,ev aBovat KopiWiot, 3 Kal
ofioXoyov&iv avTOis Mofiioi, to Be ItJtcu 4 - Ta
fxev 'Aplovos 5 tou MrqBviivaiov e/cetvoc, Ta ye [itjv
iv Tfj "Ia> 6 v-rrep tov TratBos tou koXov koX rfjs
vrjgews avTov Kal tov BeXftvos ol eTepoi. Xiyei
Be Kal BvtdvTios dvrip, AecovlBrjs ovopa, IBeiv
avTOS irapd Trjv AtoAiSa <rrXia>v iv tt^ KaXpvfMevrj
UopoaeXrjvrj jroXec BeXfava rj6dBa Kal iv Xiyevi
Tib iKelvwv olKOVVTa Kal Sairep ovv tBiotjevoLS
Xpcofxevov tols iKetdi. Kal int ye tovto) 6 avTos
Xeyei irpeo-^VTiv 7 rwa Kal yepovTa Be crvvotKovvra^
avTjj iKdpeiffat TovBe tov Tp6<f>ip,ov heXeaTa* oi
irporetvovras f<al fxdXa 9 ye e^oA/ca. Kal^jxevToi
Kal oyLorpofos ol rjv 6 twv <npeafivT<hv vlos, /cat
eu^VowTo a/x^co tov BeXfava Kal tov iralBa tov

1 Jac : TTpoaepTTvar}. 8 Saieou ^

s Gron : Aiyfariot. 4 Valerius : T^trat.

5 'ApiWos. 6 FaZesw* : T W .

7 «at wpeajSunv. 8 SeAeap re.
9 aAAa.

9 2

ON ANIMALS, II. 5~ 6

5 Men have, it is true, recovered after a long The Asp,
while from the bite of an Asp - either by — ng
excision to their aid or with the utmost fcjWj«te
enduring cautery, or they have m then- phght pre
vented the poison from spreading by taking the
necessary medicines.

The Basilisk measures but a span, yet at the sight bj^.
of it the longest snake not after an interval but on
the instant, at the mere impact of to breath, shnvels^
And if a man has a stick in his hand and the Basilisk
bites it, the owner of the rod dies.

6 The Dolphin's love of music and its affectionate M P Mn a*d
nature are a constant theme, the former with the 5o roseie„e
people of Corinth (with whom the Lesbians concur),
L latter with the inhabitants of Ios. The Lesbians
tell the story of Arion of Methymna ; what happened
in Ios with the beautiful boy and his swimming and
the Dolphin is told by the inhabitants of Ios.

A certain Byzantine, Leonidas by name, declares
that while sailing past Aeolis he saw with his own
eves at the town called Poroselene » a tame Dolphin
which lived in the harbour there and behaved towards
the inhabitants as though they were personal friends.
And further he declares that an aged couple fed this
foster-child, offering it the most alluring baits.
What is more, the old couple had a son who was
brought up along with the Dolphin, and the pair

* lor^seleief iland and town, the largest of the Heoatonnesi
lying between Leshos and Asia Minor.

93

AELIAN

a<f>erepov, Kai ttcos i'K rrjs ovvrpo<f>[as iXaOir-qv
is epcora aXXrjXcov vireXdovre o re dvOpcoTros Kai
, to Ctpov, Kai, rovro Si) ro dhojLevov, VTrepaepuvos 1
dvrepcos irtpiaro iv rols 7rpoeipr)p,evoi$. 6 toLwv
$eX<j>l$ cos jJtev nrarpiha i<f>iXei rr)v UopoaeXrjvrjv,^
cos oe ioiov ockov r)yaira rov At/xeva, /cat or) Kai
ra rpo(f)€La rots Opei/fafievois aTreSiSov, Kai rovroov
ye 4k€lvos rjv 6 rpoiros. reXeios cov rrjs oltto
X €{ 'pos rpo<j)rjs eSetTO r\Kiora, 7]$rj ye p/rjv Kai

7T€paiT€pO) TTpOVeOiV Kai 7T€ptVrjX0fl€V0S Kai CKOTTCOV

dypas ivaXLovs to. pikv iavrcp hevrrvov et^e, T< * Se'
rots oIk€lols drre(f>epev' ol he jjSeaav rovro Kai
fievrot, Kai dvifievov rov i£ avrov <f>6pov dcrp,eycos.
Kai fjiia p,ev rjv ijoe rj 7rpocrooos 3 eKetyrj be aAA^.
6Vo/xa 3 rep SeX<j)ivt, cos too iraihl ol OpetfsdfievoL
eSevro' Kai 6 Trals rfj avvrpo<j>ia Oappcov, rovro *
avrov €7rl nvos TrpofiXijros urds roirov eKaXei, Kai
dfia rfj /cA^aet Kai eKoXaKevev 6 Se, etre 7rpos
elpeaiav rjfiiXXaro rwa 3 elr iKvfilara rcoy dXXcov
oaoi irepl rov x^P 0V i^Xavcovro dyeXatoi Kara-
GKiprcov, etr* eOrjpa 5 eiretyovorjs rrjs yaarpos
avrov y €7ravrj€L Kai ybdXa ye ooKiara BtKrjv iXavyo-
(j,€vr)s vecbs ttoAAo) rep po9tco 3 Kai TrXrjcrlov rcov
TratBtKWV yevop,evo$ orvfXTraCarrjs re r)v Kai avve-
OKipra, Kai Trfj puev rep TraiSl Trapevr^TO , Trfj Se o
SeX<f>ls ota 7rpOKaXovp,€VOs elra /xeWot is rrjv
dpuXXav rr)v TTpos 6 avrov ra 77atStKa virrjye. Kai

1 Kai fidXa v.

2 7TpO€tp77fJL€V7]V.

ovofia oe /cat.

4 Schn : rovrov,

5 efre is Oypav Kai fidXa ye. : 6 ety-

94

ON ANIMALS, II. 6

cared for the Dolphin and their own son, and some-
how by dint of being brought up together the man-
child and the fish gradually came without knowing it
to love one another, and, as the oft-repeated tag has
it, ' a super-reverent counter-love was cultivated '
by the aforesaid. So then the Dolphin came to
love Poroselene as his native country and grew as
fond of the harbour as of his own home, and what is
more, he repaid those who had cared for him what
they had spent on feeding him. And this was how
he did it. When fully grown he had no need of
being fed from the hand, but would now swim
further Out, and as he ranged abroad in his search for
some quarry from the sea, would keep some to feed
himself, and the rest he would bring to his * relations/
And they were aware of this and were even glad to
wait for the tribute which he brought. This then
was one gain; another was as follows. As to the
boy so to the Dolphin his foster-parents gave a
name, and the boy with the courage born of their
common upbringing would stand upon some spot
jutting into the sea and .call the name, and as
he called would use soothing words. Whereat the
Dolphin, whether he was racing with some oared
ship, or plunging and leaping in scorn of all other
fish that roamed in shoals about the spot, or was
hunting under stress of hunger, would rise to the
surface with all speed, like a ship that raises a
great wave as it drives onward, and drawing near to
his loved one would frolic and gambol at his side ;
at one moment would swim close by the boy, at
another would seem to challenge him and even
induce his favourite to race with him. And what was
even more astounding, he would at times even decline

95

AELIAN

to ert Oavpua, direo-nr} /cat rrjs TTpcorrjs wore /cat
/cat vrrev^aro avrq), ota viK<bp,evos rjSitos
SrjTTOv* ravra rolvvv £K€KrjpvKT0 3 /cat rots rrXdov-
aiv opapt^a eSo/cet avv /cat rots aXAois ocra r) ttoXis
dyada eZ^e, /cat rots TTpeofivrais /cat rep fxeipaKLO)
TTpoaoBos rjv.

7. 'Ev Aiftvr} rjfjuovovs 1 rj TerpcopuEVOVS 'Ap^e-
Xao$ Aeyet 7} airewTOVTas vtto SIi/jovs €ppl<f>6at

V€KpOV$ TToXAoVS. 7ToAAa/CtS Se O(f)€C0V €7TLpp€VGaV

</>vXov 7rdp,7ToAv rcov Kpecov iadtecv irrdv Se
jSaatAta/cov cropLypbaros aKOvar], rd p,ev vrro rocs
elXvots 2 /cat T77 xjidpLpap d^avi^eodai rr)v rax^rrjv
/cat drroKpv7TT€or6at, rov Se TTpooeXBovra Kara
7ToXXr)v rr)v elprjvrjv Belnvew, etra a£0t9 virocrupi^ew
/cat d7raAAaTTeo$at, tous rjpuovovs /cat to
Set7rvov to e£ auTcov Gr}p,alv€oQai to ivrevdev, to
rov Xoyov tovto, aorpot?.

8. Aoyot </>acrlv Evfiodcov Sevpo </>oitwvt€S, tous*
aXidas tovs eKetcre rots BeX<f>t<Ji rots e/cet#t tao/xot-
ptav ttJ? Qrjpas dirovi^iv /cat a/cova> T97V dypav
Toiavrrjv. yaXrjvrjv etvat ^p?^ /cat et Tay^' ovtcds
e^eti rfj? TTpcppas rwv dfcaTLtJV KolXas rtvds
igaprcoow ea^apt'Sas 1 irvpos ivaKpud^ovros' /cat
etol 8ta<£avet?, cos /cat aTeyew 3 to 7r£p /cat /x^
Kpv7TT€W to <£aJS". Ittvovs koXovgw avras . ot
ToLvvv IxOvs SeStaat tt^v avyrjv /cat t>)i> XapbTrrjBova
hvoamovvrai* /cat ot /x€i> ou/c etSoTe? o Tt fiovXerai

96

1 rtvay.

3 lieiske : areyctv «al.

2 tAvax.

ON ANIMALS, II. 6-8

the winner s place and actually swim second, as
though presumably he was glad to be defeated.

These happenings were noised abroad, and those
who sailed thither reckoned them among the excel-
lent sights which the city had to show ; and to the
old people and to the boy they were a source of
revenue.

7. Archelaus tells us that in Libya mules that The Basilisk
have been wounded or which have succumbed from snakes
thirst are thrown out for dead in great numbers.

And frequently a multitude of snakes of all kinds
comes streaming up to eat their flesh, but whenever
they hear the hiss of the Basilisk they disappear as
swiftly as possible into their dens or beneath the
sand, and hide ; so the Basilisk on reaching the spot
feasts in complete tranquillity. Then again with a
hiss he is off, and thereafter as to the mules and to
the feast which they provide, * he marks their place,'
as the saying has it, ' only by the stars.' *

8. There are stories which reach us from Euboea of ^ermen
fisher-folk in those parts sharing their catch equally Dolphins
with the Dolphins in those parts. And I am told

that they fish in this way. The weather must be
calm, and if it is, they attach to the prow of their
boats some hollow braziers with fire burning in them,
and one can see through them, so that while retain-
ing the fire they do not conceal the light. They call
them lanterns. Now the fish are afraid of the bright-
ness and are dazzled by the glare, and some of them
not knowing what is the purpose of the thing they see,

a I.e. he never returns; cp. Jebb on Soph. OT 795.

VOL. I.

97

E

AELIAN"

to opcoptevov, irXrjGid^ovai, fxadetv fiovXopLevoi tov
<f>o^ovvros o<f>a$ rrjv air lav etra €KTrXayivT€$ rf
irpos tlvl Trirpa rjvvxdCovaw dOpoov ttoXXo^voi,
rw Seet 77 is rrjv ffova €.kixLtttovuiv (bdovftevoi, Kai
ioiKaat tols ipbfizfipovTTjpLivois . ovra) ye pLrjv

SlCLK€lfJL€VOVS p&OTOV koTIV T^T] KOI TpLCLlVr} 7TaT<x£aL.

eVetSav odv Oedacwrai ol BeXfaves rov$ aXieas to
nvp igdi/javras s iavrovs evrp^rrL^ovui. Kai ol
jxkv rjpifxa VTrepirrovcnv , ol 8e $eX<f>tves tovs
i^coripo) rwv lyftvtov (ftofiovvres wOovol Kai rod
oiaBiopdoKeiv dvacrrdXXovow. ovkovv eKetvoi me-
£6fjLevoL TravraxoOev Kai rpotrov rivd K€kvkX<x>\l4.voi

€K T€ T^S" TOVTWV elpzolas Kai T7]S VTj^etDS TtJs*

£k€cvo>v ovviauw a<f>vKra etval o<f>icri } Kai irapa-
fxevovort Kai dXioKOvrai irdfiTroXv ti ^p^/xa. Kai
ol SeX<f>LV€s trpoGiaaiv 1 (Ls aTtairovvres tov kolvov

7T0V0V TT]V €7nKap7TiaV T7)V 6(/>€lXofJL€m]V 0<j>UJlV €K

rfjs vofjbrjs, Kai ol ye dXiels marcos Kai evyvtopLovws
a<f>t<jTavrai tols ovvOrjpots tov oiKaiov fidpovs, et
fiovXovrai Kai irdXiv a<j>iai crvfxp,d)(ov$ aKXrjrovs
irapelvai Kai aTTpo^aaiarovs . Ttiorevovoi yap ol
e/cet OaXarrovpyol on 7Tapaf}dvTes e£ovaw ixOpovs
ovs €i)(ov TTporepov <f>lXov$.

9. "EAa^os* o<f>w viKa, Kara rtva <f>vaea)s ocopedv
dav\iauTr\v % Kai ovk av avrov BcaXdOoi iv rep <f>a)~
Aeai tov 6 €x@ lo " ro $> dXXd TTpocrepeiaas rfj Kara-
opofjufj tov BaKCTOV 2 rows' iavTov fxvKTrjpas jStato-
rara eWvet, Kai cXkci (Ls Ivyyi tco TrvevpLaTi, Kai
aKovra irpodyei, Kai rrpoKvirrovTa avTov ioOUtv
dpx^rar Kai fidXiOTa ye Bed ^et/xojvos' Spa tovto,
1 Schn : rrpotaaiv.

98

ON ANIMALS, II. 8-9

draw near from a wish to discover what it is that,
frightens them. Then terror-stricken they either
lie still in a mass close to some rock, quivering with
fear, or are cast ashore as they are jostled along, and
seem thunderstruck. Of course in that condition it
is perfectly easy to harpoon them. So when the
Dolphins observe that the fishermen have lit their fire,
they get ready to act, and while the men row softly
the Dolphins scare the fish on the outskirts and push
them and prevent any escape. Accordingly the fish
pressed on all sides and in some degree surrounded,
realise that there is no escaping from the men that
row and the Dolphins that swim; so they remain
where they are and are caught in great numbers.
And the Dolphins approach as though demanding
the profits of their common labour due to them from
this store of food. And the fishermen loyally and
gratefully resign to their comrades in the chase their
just portion— assuming that they wish them to come
again, unsummoned and prompt, to their aid, for
those toilers of the. sea are convinced that if they
omit to do this, they will make enemies of those who
were once friends.

9. A Deer defeats a snake by an extraordinary gift £ n e ^ nd
that Nature has bestowed. And the fiercest snake L
lying in its den cannot escape, but the Deer applies
its nostrils to the spot where the venomous creature
lurks, breathes into it with the utmost force, attracts
it by the spell, as it were, of its breath, draws it
forth against its will, and when it peeps out, begins
to eat it. Especially in the winter does it do this.

TOV BofJiOV.

99

AELIAN

rjSrj ybivroL tis 1 Kal Kepas i\d<f>ov £icra$ s etra to
^e'oyxa i$ irvp ivefiaXe, Kal 6 Kairvos dviwv SiwKet,
tov$ 6<f>€ts rravraxoOev, purjBk rrjv oap/qv VTropui-
vovras.

10. "Ecm [lev rrjv aXXws 2 6 lttttos yavpov Kal
yap Kal to fiiyeOos Kal to tcl^os avTov Kal rod
avxivos to vtfsrjXov Kal rj twv g-kcXwv vypoTTjs Kal
rj twv ottXwv Kpovacs 3 eV <f>pvaypia Kal TV<f>ov
dvdyei* /xaAicrra Se Kopuwaa twos dfipoTaTOV re
ioTi Kal OpVTTTiKcoTaTOV. drt/xafet yovv dvafirjvai
tov$ 6vov$ avTrp/, Ittttw Se yapuovfievr] rjSeTai, Kal
iavTrjv d^toi twv iieyioTwv. orrep ofiv owetSdres 1
ol fiovAofievoi r}p,i6vov$ o<f>Loi yeveoSai, dirodpi-
aavT€$ TTjs Ittttov Trjv xaiTrjv gIkt} Kal <I>s €TVxev >
etra jjl€vtoi tovs ovovs iTrdyovatv rj Se viropbivet
tov aSogov rjSrj yafjuzTrjv, TrpWTov aihovpLevrj. Kal
Eo^o/cA^ Se €olk€ pcepLvrjaSac tov TtdBovs,

11. Ilepi p,ev Trjs twv iXe(f>dvTwv uo<f>la$ eiTrov
aXkaxoQiy Kal /xeVrot Kal Ttepl tt\s Orjpas avTwv
Kal TavT7}$ 4 €L7Tov SXlya €K ttoXXwv &v €<f>ao-av
dXXot . to Se vvv exov eotKa 5 ipeiv rrepc tc
€vp,ovcrlas avTwv Kal tvTreiOelas Kal tt}$ is tol
fiaOtffxaTa evKoXlas, x a ^ €7T ^ ofiwg ovTa Kal
avOpwTTw tvx^iv, 6 prq ti yovv tooovtw SripLw Kal
ovtw t4w$ dypLWTaTW avyyevioOai. ^opetav yap
Kal opx'qoTiKriv Kal fiatvew 7rp6s pvdfidv Kal

1 tls after eXdfov in mss.

2 TTjV aAAco?] Kal €K rwy aAAcov.

3 Kpovais rravra.

4 ravra» 5 Schn : efty/nx.

100

ON ANIMALS, II. 9-1 1

Indeed it has even happened that a man has ground
a Deer's horn to powder and then has thrown the
powder into fire, and that the mounting smoke has
driven the snakes from all the neighbourhood : even
the smell is to them unendurable.

10. The Horse is generally speaking a proud crea- Mare and
ture, the reason being that his size, his speed, his Ass
tall neck, the suppleness of his limbs, and the clang

of his hooves make him insolent and vain. But it is
chiefly a Mare with a long mane that is so full of airs
and graces. For instance, she scorns to be covered
by an ass, but is glad to mate with a horse, regarding
herself as only fit for the greatest <of her kind).
Accordingly those who wish to have mules born,
knowing this characteristic, clip the Mare's mane in
a haphazard fashion anyhow, and then put asses to
her. Though ashamed at first, she admits her present
ignoble mate. Sophocles also appears to mention
this humiliation [jr. 659P].°

11. Touching the sagacity of Elephants I have The
spoken elsewhere ; and further, I have spoken too S e §oS?ity
of the manner of hunting them, mentioning but a

few of the numerous facts recorded by others. For
the present I intend to speak of their sense for music
and their readiness to obey and their aptitude for
learning things which are difficult even for mankind,
to say nothing of so huge an animal and one hitherto
so fierce to encounter. The movements of a chorus,
the steps of a dance, how to march in time, how to

• See 11. 18.

6 rv\<dv avTcov.

1 01

AELIAN

avXov dafiivcos 1 aKovetv Kal avvievai rjxojv § 4 a-
<f>Gpds, rj fipaBvvew ivSiBovrcov rj raxyvew rrapop-
IxdiVTOiv, fiadcov otSev iXe<f>as, Kal aKpifioi Kal
ov cr(f)dXXerat. ovrojs dpa r) <f>vcrts p>eyeQei p,kv
avrov pueyiarov elpydaaro y fidSrjais 2 Be rrpaorarov
a7T€<f>7]V€ Kal evdywyov. el puev ovv epbeXXov rrjv iv
'IvSofc avroiv evrrelOeiav /cat evpudOeiav rj rrjv iv
AlBiorrLa rj rrjv iv Aifivr} ypdfew, taws av ra> Kal
(jlvQov iBoKovv Tivd ovfLTrXdoas Kopt,7rd£eiv y elra
,€irl <f>tffJL7] rod drjpiov rrjs <f>vaeojs KaraifsevBeoBai-
orr€p^i)(pr]v Bpdv </>iXooo(f>ovvra dvBpa rjKiara Kal
dXrjBeias ipacrrrjv Bidrtvpov. a Be avros etBov Kal
artva rrporepov iv rrj *Pa)p,r) rrpaxBevra dveypaifsav
aXXoi 7TpoeiX6fjb7]v eirreiv, irrcBpapbcbv oXiya 4k rroX-
Xwv> ovx TjKMjra Kal ivrevBev a7ToBeiKvvs rrjv rov
£a>ov 3 IBtorrjra. rjpiepwBels 4 eXe^as TTpaorarov
ian t Kal. dyerai paara is o ri ns 5 BeXet,. Kal rd
ye rrpea^vrara npbwv rov xP° vov ^pw 7rptorov.
Bias irrereXec 'Pay patois 6 TeppLavLKos 6 Kataa/r
etrj 8' av dBeX<f>iBovs Ttfiepiov ofiros. ovkovv
iyivovro 6 Kal dppeves iv rfj 'Pwpur} reXeiot rrXeiovs
Kal Br]X€iai s etra it; avrwv irexBrjaav avBiyevecs.
Kal ore rd KcoXa vrrrjpgavro iriqyvvaBai, ao(f>6s
dvrjp opbiXelv roLovrois BrjpLOLs irrwXevaev avrovs ,
Baipuovla nvl Kal iKirXrjKriKrj BtBaoKaXla pberaxec-
piadpcevos. rrpoorjye Be avrovs dpa rjcrvxv rrjv ye
vpwrrjv Kal rrpdws rocs BiBdypbaoi BeXeara drra

1 avXov acr/xeVcoy] avXovfievovs.

2 Jac : fiadijcret.

3 TOJV t,tptxiV.

4 JSchn : rutepwOev.

6 o ns. 6 eyevovro piv.

102

ON ANIMALS, IL n

enjoy the sound of flutes, how to distinguish different
notes, when to slacken pace as permitted or when to
quicken at command— all these things the Elephant
has learnt and knows how to do, and does accurately
without making mistakes. Thus, while nature has
created him to be the largest of animals, learning
has rendered him the most gentle and docile. Now
had I set out to write about the readiness to obey
and to learn among elephants in India or in Ethiopia
or in Libya, anyone might suppose that I was con-
cocting some pretentious tale, that in fact I was on
the strength of hearsay about the beast giving a
completely false account of its nature. That is the
last thing that a man in pursuit of knowledge and an
ardent lover of the truth has any right to do. In-
stead I have preferred to state what I have myself
seen and what others have recorded as having
formerly occurred in Rome, treating summarily a
few facts out of many, which nevertheless sufficiently
demonstrate the peculiar nature of the beast.

The Elephant when once tamed is the gentlest
creatures and is easily induced to do whatever one in Kome
wants. Now keeping due eye on the time, I shall
state the most important events first. Germanicus
Caesar was about to give some shows for the Romans.
(He would be the nephew a of Tiberius.) There were
in Rome several full-grown male and female elephants ,
and there were calves born of them in the country;
and when their limbs began to grow firm, a man who
was clever at dealing with such beasts trained them
and instructed them with uncanny and astounding
dexterity. To begin with he introduced them in a
quiet, gentle fashion to his instructions, supplying
a Or rather, the adopted son.

103

AELIAN

ertdyow Kal rpO(f>ds rjBtaras Kal TreiroiKiXpLivas
to eiraycoyov 1 re Kal e<f>oXKov, <L$ el n puev r\v 2
aypiorrjTOS, rovro eKpaXeiv, d7Tavropi,oX7jvai 3 Be
rrpos to rjfiepov Kal dp,ojaye7ra)s avdpwtreiov, Kal
r[u ye rd fxaB^pbara avXcov 4 aKovovras fxrj eKfial-
veaOai, Kal rvpmdvow apdfiov Kporovvros pur]
r apdr read ai 3 Kal KrjXeLaOat avpiyyi, <f>epew Be Kal
7]x ov s eKpbeXets 5 Kal ttoBcov epufiawovrcov ifjo</>ov
Kal cbBrjv avfjbfjLLyfj- i^€7rovrj9rjaav Be Kal dvdpd)7Ta>v
TvArjOos pur) BeBievai. r\v Be Kal eKetva BtBdy/xara
dvBpiKa, 7rp6$ rrjv rrjg TrXTjyrjs Karacf>opdv fiT) 6v~
fxovcrQat, firjBe pur)v dvayKa^opievovs XvyL^eiv ri
rwv pueX<bv Kal Kapmrew opx^vriKcbs re Kal x°P l ~
ko>5 etra is 6vp,6v e^dirTeaQai, Kal ravra pwprqs
re Kal akKrjs ed 7]KOvras. <f>vaei piev odv rovro
TrXeoveKrrjfia yjBr) Kal pbdXa yevviKov, pur} e^etv
draKrcos pbrjBe direiQais rrpos rraiBevpuara dv9pa)~
m/ccr ivrel Be d7re<j>r}vev avrovs 6 o/^TjcrToStSacr/ca-
Aos Kal fxdXa ye aofovs, Kal rjKplfiovv rd zk rrjs
7ratBevcrea)s 3 ovk iiffevoravro tt}s BtBaaKaXtas rov
irovovy <f>aaiv, evda eTTiBei^acrdai rd TratBevfiara
avrovs rj xP € ^ a avv T Q Kaip(b TrapeKaXei. BcoBeKa
fj,ev yap rov apiQpudv oBe 6 X P°$ ^av* irapfjX96v
ye pity evrevQev rov Oedrpov Kal €Kel9ev vepbr}9evres 3
Kal etorjecrav aj8pa pt,ev j3alvovre$ 3 OpVTrrtKcos Be
rd ocopta irav Biax£ovre$ 3 Kal ripurrelxovro xopevn-
Ka$ oroXds Kal dvOwds. Kal rov ye xopoAeWov
rfj <f>a)vfj fjidvov VTToarjpbrjvavros ol Be enl arolxov
rjeaav, <f>aalv 3 el rovro eKeXevoev 6 BiBd^as' etra

1 ayoyov. 2 et /xei> rt hrijv Cobet.

3 £iravroiiohf}oai. 4 koX avX&v.

104

ON ANIMALS, II. n

them with delicacies and the most appetising food,
varied so as to allure and entice them into abandon-
ing all trace of ferocity and into becoming renegades,
that is tame and to some degree human. So what
they learnt was not to go wild at the sound of flutes,
not to be alarmed at the beating of drums, to be
charmed by the pipe and to endure discordant notes,
the beat of marching feet, and the singing of crowds.
Moreover they were thoroughly trained not to be
afraid of men in masses. And further their dis-
ciplining was manly in the following respects : they
were not to get angry at the infliction of a blow, nor,
when obliged to move some limb and to sway in time
to dance or song, to burst into, a rage, even though
they had attained to such strength and courage. Now
to refrain by instinct from misbehaving and from
flouting the instruction given by a man is a virtue and
a mark of nobility. When therefore the dancing-
master had brought them to a high degree of pro-
ficiency, and they performed accurately what he had
taught them, they did not disappoint the labour
spent on their training (so they say) in the place
where in due time the occasion demanded that they
should display what they had been taught. Now
this troupe was twelve in number, and they advanced
in two groups from the right and the left sides of the
theatre. They entered with a mincing gait, sway-
ing their whole body in a delicate manner, and they
were clothed in the flowered garments of dancers.
And at no more than a word from the conductor they
formed into line (so we are told)— supposing that to
have been their teacher's order. Then again they

5 Jac : e/i/xeAefe.

AELIAN

ad TtdXiv TrepiijpxovTo is kvkXov, V7rocrrjp,fjvavTos
livai Tavrrj' Kal el igeXirreiv ISet, eirpaTTOv avro,
Kal av6rj fxevroi piTrrovvres eKoapcovv to S&TreBov
olSe, puETpo) Kal <f>€tBoi Bpcovres, Kal, tl Kal 1
€7T€KTV7rovv rois 7Toul y ^dpetdV re 2 Kal avpLpieXes
opLoppoBovvres oi avrol. Adpiwva puev ovv Kal
YiTTivdapov Kal * Kpior6t;€vov Kal $>iX6$;€vov Kal d'A-
Xovs €7ratetv p,ovot,K7js KaXkiara Kal iv oXiyois
iierd^ordac rrjvBe nrr)v ao^iav davfxaarov [lIv }
aitKJTov Se Kal irapaXoyov ovSapbcos' to Se alrcov,
av9pco7ros £a>6v ian XoyiKov Kal vov Kal Xoyicrpiov
Xa>pr}TiKov t^tbov Be avapOpov ovviivaiKal pv8p,6v
Kal fieXovs Kal ^vXarreiv Gxrjfia Kal ipLfieXetav
p/rj 7Taparpi7T€Lv Kal aTToirXripovv rwv BiBaxOevrcov
rrjv aTraLrrjaiVy <f>vcreaj$ Bwpa ravra dpua Kal
LotoT7)s Kau GKacrTov €K7rA7jKrLKrj. ra oe eiri
tovtois Kal eKp/qvai 3 rov 9earr)v iKavd' ^apiai-
^fjXcov kXlvqjv an^dBes 4 iv rfj ipdpbpLO) rov Qedrpov
redeicrai, etra iBi^avTo rvXela 5 Kal irrl tovtois
GTpcopLvrjv 7TOtKlXr]v s OLKtas 6 p,iya evBaifxovos Kal
TraXaioirXovrov o'a^rj 7 pbaprvpia m Kal KvXiKia rjv
7roXvT€Xrj rrapaKetpLeva Kal Kparfjpes xpvcrot Kal
apyvpol, Kal iv avrots vBwp Trdp,7roXv, rpdrreCat
re irapiKeivTO 6 vov re Kal iXi<j)avros ed pudXa
aofiapal, Kal rjv iv avrcov Kpea Kal dpToc, rrapi,f$o-
pcoTarwv ipLTrXrjaao ^(pcov yaaripas tKavd ravra.
€7rel Be ra rrjs irapauKevrjs eK^Xed re Kal dpL</>tXa<j>rj
rjv, rraprjXOov ol Sam> puoves. If p,ev appeves, iod-

1 Kal TL /Cat] aVTLKCL 5*.

2 Tt. 3 GKfi&Vat,

4 Wytt : a>$ crrtjSaSes.

5 rvXta.

106

ON ANIMALS, II. n

wheeled into a circle when he so ordered them, and
if they had to deploy, that also they did. And then
they sprinkled flowers to deck the floor, but with
moderation and economy, and now and again they
stamped, keeping time in a rhythmical dance. ^

That Damon therefore, that Spintharus, Aristo-
xenus, Philoxemis, and others should be experts in
music and should be numbered among the few for
their knowledge of it is certainly matter for wonder
but by no means incredible or absurd. The reason
is that man is a rational animal capable of under-
standing and logical thought. But that an in-
articulate animal should comprehend rhythm and
melody, should follow the movements of a tragic
dance without a false step, fulfilling all that its
lessons required of it— these are gifts bestowed by
Nature, arid each .one is a singularity that fills one
with amazement. _ „ . ,

But what followed was enough to send the specta-

at a banque

tor wild with delight. On the sand of the theatre
were placed mattresses of low couches, and on these
in turn cushions, and over them embroidered cover-
lets, clear evidence of a house of great prosperity arid
ancestral wealth. And close at hand were set costly
goblets and bowls of gold and of silver, and in them
a large quantity of water; and beside them were
placed tables of citrus wood and of ivory, of great
magnificence, and they were laden with meat and
bread enough to satisfy the stomachs of the most
voracious animals. So as soon as the preparations
were completed in all their abundance, the ban-
queters came on, six males and an equal number ot

107

AELIAN

pidfioi Be at O-qXetai avrois* Kal oi p,ev 1 dppevomov
aroXrjV etxov, at Be OrjXvv, Kal KareKXlvrjorav 2 avv
Kodfico avvBvaadevreg dppev re Kal OfjXv, Kal
v-rroarj^vavros rots' TrpofioaKiBas d)$ X € W as k zko~
Xaofiivtos rrpovrecvov, Kal iacrovvro ed fxdXa
aa><f>p6v<os- Kal ovre ns avroov e8o£ev dBrj<f)dyos
ovre fxrjv 7rpoT€v0r)s n$ 7j rrjs puoipas rrjs p,ei£ovos
dprraKTiKoSy cos 6 Ueparjs. 6 7rapd rep Eevo<f>d>VTi
XP va <P- * 7T€ *' °^ irlvew eBec, iK&orcp Kparrjp
Traperediq, Kal dpvrop,evoi rats* TrpofioaKtai, ro
rrorov eirivov KeKoap,r]pLeva>s , elra drceppawov avv
iraioia Kal oi>x vfipec. iroXXd Be Kal aAAa dveypa-
tpav 3 roiavra tt}s Ioiq.tt}tos rcovSe rtov £<poov
aocpd Kal iK7rXrjKTiKd. eyd) Be etBov Kal ypapupuara
ypd<f>ovra eirl irivaKos 'Pa^ata darpafiajs rfj

7Tpof$0<JKlOl Kal drpertTOiS' TtXtjV eTTeKeiTO <^> 4

X*lp rod BiBd^avros is rrjv rcov ypapupidroiv
iratBaywyovaa 7repiypaj>r\v 3 eare dnoypdijsai ro
C<pov to Be dreves ecopa Kara). ireTraiBevpievovs
elvai rovs 6cf>6aXfiovs too faiaj Kal ypap,p,ariKov$
ehres dv.

12. "E%et puevrot Kal 6 Xaycbs 5 avpufoels tSto-
nrjras. €K7T€7rrapLevois pikv yap rocs f$Xe<f>dpois
KadevBei, Kdnrjyopei Be avrov rd err) rpcoyXas
rivds V7To<f>atva)v. fyepei Be Kal ev rfj vtjBvl rd
fiev -qtiireXfj, rd Be (LBivei, rd Se t}Bt) oi rereKrai.

1 ol fih eXtyavres. * KaTexXtd-qaav,

3 Sckn : aveypatfra*
« <V> add. Schn.
5 \aya>6$.

I08

ON ANIMALS, II. 11-12

females ; the former were clad in masculine garb, the^
latter in feminine; and they took their places in
orderly fashion in pairs, a male and a female. And
at a signal they reached forward their trunks
modestly, as though they were hands, and ate with
oreat decorum. And not one of them gave the
impression of being a glutton nor yet of trying to
forestall others or of being inclined to snatch too
large a portion, as the Persian did who occurs in
Xenophon the golden.® And when they wanted to
drink, a bowl was placed by each one, from which
they sucked up the water with their trunks and
drank it in an orderly manner, and then proceeded to
squirt <the attendants) 6 in fun, not by way of insult.

Many similar stories have been recorded showing
the astounding ingenuity of these animals. And I
myself have seen one actually with its trunk writing
Roman letters on a tablet in a straight line without
any deviation. The only thing was that the in-
structor's hand was laid upon it, directing it to the
shape of the letters until the animal had finished
writing ; and it looked intently down. You would
have said that the animals eyes had been taught
and knew the letters.

12. The Hare has certain innate characteristics. The Hare
For one thing it sleeps with its eyelids open; for
another it proclaims its age when it half shows certain
apertures. Also it carries some of its young half-
formed in its womb, some it is in process of bearing,
others it has already borne.

Xen. An. 7. 3. 23 ; Arystas was however an Arcadian, not
a Persian. * Golden/ cf. Diog. La. 10. 8 TLMraiva xptvoiw,
Lticr. 3. 12 [Epicuri] aurea dicta.

b Or ' each other * ?

109

AELIAN

13. Ta K-ryrq rd pueydXa Trdvra 1 dvev kvvcov
Belrai rov r)ye{j,6vo$ y Kal rols 6<f>6aXuot$ eKetvov
dyerai, eari Be l^Ovs puiKpos 2, Kal Xerrros, 3 rrjv
Ke<j>aXr)v 7Tp0fxiqKK]s* orevbv ^Sc) 4 avrcp to

OVpaiOV (JVfJL7T€(f)VK€V t OL TOVTCOV XiyOVCTL CTO(f>OL.

elre Be avrov iKetvov rrapeBojKe rep Kvyrei rj <f>vacs
eKacrrcp, elre (f>iXia avrcp 5 eKcov 7Tp6aeiacv 3 Q ovk
otBa- <f>vaetos Be dvdyKrjv etvai rd Trparrofievov
fidXXov 7T€7riaT€V KGL . v^eTat yap SBe 6 txdvs
ovBeTTwirore eavrw, 7 rrpoeiai Be rfjs rod Krjrovs
Ke<f>aXrjSi Kal rjyep,c6v ecrrw avrov, Kal <h$ elireiv
ola£. rrpoopa yovv eKelvcp rd Trdvra Kal irpoataOd-
verai rep avrcp, Kal rrpoBiBdcrKet, eKaora rijs
oupa? rip aKpcp, Kal Trapeifsavae rovrcp, Kal eBwKe
avvdiqp,a, Kal rcov p,ev <j>of$ep&v dveareiXev, eirl ye
firjv rd Opii/fovra irpodyei, Kal rrjv e/c rcov Orjparcov
ivcpovXrjv oiSdcrKei orjfjLeicp nvl dreKfidpra), Kal
rcov rdircov cov ov xprj roaovrov Orjplov €7ri/&}vat
irpop/qvvei, tva prq rrpre dpBrjv es epfxa irepiaxeOev
diroXrjrac, rj rolvvv rod filov vrroOecns rep pueylarcp
ro ppdx^rov earw. eoiKe Be Kara-mavQev ro
Ccpov pirjre opdV en prqre aKoveiy, etvai Be TTpofiXrjfia
Kal rr\s diftecos Kal rvjs aKorjs rcov aapKwv rov
oyKov. ov% opdrai Be rod krjrovs ep7]p,os, aXXd
dvdyKT], rov rrdvrcov avrcp rcov 7rpoeipr]p,eva>v
alrtov TTpoarroXojiXoros , Kal eKetvo aTroXeaQai.

1 SXiyov Trdvra. 2 Ges ; fiaKp6$,

3 Xevtcos.

* <8£> add. H.

5 Eeiske : avrwv.

6 Jac : TTpoeiaiv.

7 Abresch: avra>.

lib

ON ANIMALS, II. 13

13. All the large fishes, with the exception of the MubmA
Shark, require a leader, and are guided by its eyes, leaders
The leader is a small, slim fish with an elongated
head, but its tail is narrow, according to the authori-
ties on the subject. But whether Nature has con-
ferred upon each large fish the aforesaid guide, or
whether it associates with the large fish of its own
free will out of friendliness, I am unable to say, but
I prefer to believe that this is done under the com-
pulsion of Nature, for this fish never swims by itself,
but moves in front of the large fish's head and is its
leader and, as it were, tiller. For instance, it fore-
sees and takes previous notice of everything on be-
half of the large fish ; it forewarns it of everything
by the tip of its tail, and by its contact signals to the
fish, keeping it away from what is to be feared but
leading it on to what will feed it. And by some
invisible sign it warns the fish that its pursuers have
designs upon it, and gives timely indication of those
spots which a creature of its size ought not to ap-
proach, if it is not to be surrounded and perish utterly
on some reef.

So then the first essential for the life of the largest
of creatures is the smallest. And it seems that when
the large fish becomes very fat it can no longer see
nor hear, the vast bulk of its flesh being an obstacle
to sight and to hearing. But the ' leader ' is never
seen apart from the large fish ; if however, with its
responsibility for the services described above, it
dies first, then the large fish is bound to die
also.

in

AELIAN

14. Xa^tatAecov to foW is jxiav 1 XP° av °"
7T€(j>VK€v ovre opdoQat ovTe yvtopi^eaBai, kX4ttt€i
Be iavrov irXavwv re ajxa /cat 7rapaTpe7Ta>v ty]v

T(X)V 6p<l)VT(DV OifflV. €L yap 7T€plTVXOl$ pLeXaVL TO

ethos, 6 Be e^erpetjje to pL6p<j>a)p,a is ^AojpoTTjTa,
a>GTT€p ovv pL€TapL<f>t,ecrdpi,evos 2 ' etra puevTOi dXXolos
i<f>dvrj yXavKorrjra 3 vttoBvs, KaBdirep TrpoGamelov
erepov rj aroXrjv VTTOKpirfjS dXXnrjv, inel rolvuv
ravff ovtcos €%et, <j>aCr] tls dv /cat rrjv $vaw purj
Kadeijjovorav pbrjBe emxplovaav cjiappidKois > coairep
ovv r\ MrjBecdv Tiva fj KtpKVjv, /cat 4 eKeivyjv
<f>apfxaKiSa elvai.

15. UojjLTTiXov 5 weXdyiov /cat flvBco faXyBovvTa
elBivai xprj pidXiara lyQvuyv wv lap,ev aKofj* pnoel
Be rj avros rrfu yfjv ^ top IxBvv eKelvr\. repuvovaas
Be dpa p,eaov rov iropov rds vavs olBe ol iropwriXoi
cbcnrep o$v ipcopuevas irpocrveovres Bopv<f>opovai 3 /cat
Bevpo /cat €K€icre irepiipxovTai xop^ovres 6 apua
/cat 7ri)B<x>VTe$. oi /xev odv ireplvew oiroaov 7
d<f>eardai 8 rrjs yfjs, ovBe ev 9 auTOtS" elBivai
irdpeoTi Brjirov ol Be vavrac, KXerrreaBaL 10 pievrot
/cat auTOts 1 to dXrjBes eiwBev. ol ye purjv 11 TropurlXoi
pLdKpoBev fiudovro Blf<r)v evplvov kvvos to BrjpapLa
iXovcnqs Ta^tara, /cat ovk4tc tooovtos clvtovs
epcos ve<hs KaTaXapufidvei, <hs Ttapa\ievew , aAAa

1 els tBiav fiiav.

3 Pauw : AevKonjra.

4 koX fievroi /cat.

5 Ges here and below : tto/^u-.

6 Kai Bevpo . . . x°P*v° VT€S ] Kal zkgWi TrepUpxovrai ^opeuopres
Kai Sevpo,

112

ON ANIMALS, II. 14-15

14. The Chameleon is not disposed to remain of
one and the same colour for men to see and recognise,
but it conceals itself by misleading and deceiving the
eye of the beholder. Thus, if you come across one
that appears black, it changes its semblance to green,
as though it had changed its clothes ; then again it
assumes a bluish-grey tint and appears different, like
an actor who puts on another mask or another gar-
ment. This being so, one might say that even
Nature, though she does not boil anyone down nor
apply drugs, like a Medea or a Circe, is also a
sorceress.

15. You must know that the Pilot-fish frequents the The^
open sea and loves to dwell in the depths more than

all others of which we have heard tell. But either it
detests the land or the land detests the fish. Well,
when vessels are cleaving the mid-ocean these Pilot-
fish swim up as though they were in love with them and
attend them like a bodyguard, circling this way and
that as they gambol and leap. Now the passengers
are of course totally unable to tell how far they
are from land, and even the sailors themselves are
frequently mistaken as to the true fact. The
Pilot-fish however can tell from a long way off,
like a keen-scented hound which immediately gets
wind of the prey, and then they are no longer so
captivated by the vessel as to stay at her side, but

7 Jac : Travis otrorav, 8 afaoravai.

fl ouSeV MSS always. 1Q Jac: Kai irrateoOai.

11 dAA' ot ye (irjv.

"3*

AELIAN

ota vrro avvdrjpLan dOpooi yevop,evoi 1 cpxovro 2
airiovres. Kal laaaiv evrevdev oi rrjs vecbs dpxovres
ore dpa xpr) TrepifSXeirew yijv ov TTVpaois reKfjucu-
pofievovs dXXd rots rrpoeLpiqpiivois TreTraihevpiivovs .

16. 'l&pvOrjpLa 3 el 7tot€ eTravariXXeu Kal a>xp^~
ai$ 4 eirl ijsiXris rijs Sopas Kal Tpiy&v yvpuvrjs,
(davpLaarov o*3SeV> 5 * rdpavBos oe to £q>ov, dXXd
odros ye Bpi^lv avrals rpeirei eavrov, Kal ttoXv-
Xpoiav ipyd^erai puvp cav, d)s iK7rXrjrreiv rr\v oiftiv,
eo-n Se TiKvOtjs, Kal rd f vcDraf 6 TrapairXriGios
ravpcp Kal ro p,eye6os. rovrov roi Kal rrjv Bopdv
dyadfjv dvTLTrakov o^XFU avrcov dwnicri

7T€piT€WaVT€$ VOOVGW 7 ol HtKvSai.

17. UeXdyios Ix^vs rrjv Xrj^iv^ rr)v oifiiv puzXas,
to purjKos Kara 9 p.ep.erpiqp.iviqv eyxeXvv, Xafioov 10
i£ Sv Spa ro dvop,a 3 deovarj vr]l Kal pcdXa ye i£
ovplas 11 Trpou^Bapels Kal rrjs TrpvpLvrjs ro aKpov
ivSaKwv, 12, woirep odv Ittttov aropLiq) d7ret6r] Kal
rpaxpv ^aAtva> oxA^oai fiiaiorara dvaKpovaas,
dvaareXXet tt}s 6pp,f}$ Kal rreSijcras ex €r KaL
pbdrrjv puev rd laria pbeaa TretTprjarai, is ovBev 8e
<f>vcrajcnv ol avepLOi, a^o? 8' exec rovs TrXeovras.
avviaoi he oi vavrai, Kal rrjs vecbs yvcopl^ovac ro

1 Eeiske : yivoivro.

2 rravres.

3 ipvdrjfJLara.

* chxplauts Kal ycvioBai neXihvov Kal dvOpa>7T(p ravra Kal
d-qpiois aAAa.

5 (QavfjLaorov ouSeV> add. Ges.

6 vcora corrupt.

7 voovgl KaL

114

ON ANIMALS, II. 15-17

mass as at a signal and are off and away. There-
upon those in control of the vessel know that they
must look around for land, not because they judge
by beacons but because they have been instructed
by the aforesaid fish.

16. If at any time a flush or a pallor appears on a The
man's bare and hairless skin it causes no astonish- ar
ment. But the animal known as Tarandus (elk?)
transforms itself hair and all, and can adopt such an
infinite variety of colours as to bewilder the eye.

It is a native of Scy thia and in its [hide ?] a and its size
resembles a bull; and the Scythians cover their
shields with its hide and consider it a good counter
to a spear.

17. There is a fish whose province is the open sea, The
black in appearance, as long as an eel of moderate size,
and deriving its name from what it does : with evil pur-
pose it meets a vessel running at full speed before
the wind, and fastening its teeth into the front of
the prow, like a man vigorously curbing with bit and
tightened rein an intractable and savage horse, it
checks the vessel's onrush and holds it fast. In vain
do the sails belly in the middle, to no purpose do the
winds blow, and depression comes upon the pas-
sengers. But the sailors understand and realise what
ails the ship ; and it is from this action that the fish

Perhaps 4 coats,' i,e. summer and winter coats of hair.

8 Meiske : vq^iv. 9 Kara rr\v. f 10 Aa^alv.

11 ovplas Kal rwv lariojv KSKoXTTiOfxeviav.

12 BaKWV.

AELIAN

rrdOos. Kal evrevQev eKrrjoaro to 6Vo/xa* e^evTyt'Sa
yap Kokovdiv ol TTeTreLpafievot.

18. 'AvajSawec pev r) reyy*q Ka * L & rpiyovtav
hiSaoKaXias 7rap' *Op,r}pa) 1 r) rrepl rcbv rerpcofxivcov
re kgll <f>apfJLdf<ov Seofjuivwv . iraiheverai jxev yap
6 Mevoirlov UdrpotcXos v-n 'A^AAc^? larpiKijv,
'Ax^XXevs 8e 6 UrjXecos vrro ¥L€ipa>vo$ rov Kpovov.
Kal iv Tjpcocrl re Kal Oeaiv Tratalv rjv rd fiadrjfJLara 2
<f>vow eiSivat ptfcov Kal iroas Sia<f)6pov xpr^vw /cat
(j>apfjidKcov Kpaaiv Kal eTraoiBas & re <j>Xeyiwvr)v
dvrnrdXovs, Kal dvaorelXai atp,a, Kal oaa dXXa
€K€Lvoi ye 3 rjSeaav Kal fjuevroi Kal ol rov xpovov
Kara) 4 dvlyyevadv rcva. 5 dXXa rovrayv ye rwv
o-oc/yicFfidrcov r) <j>vais ovSev eSetro* Kal Karrjyopet
6 iXe<f>as* orav yovv is avrov eX6rj 86para Kal
peXrj TToXXd, iXalas Traodfxevos 6 dvdos rj eXatov
avro 3 elra irav to ipjireaov aTreaeiaaro, Kal eartv
add is SXoKXrjpos.

19. Kai ToSe to Oavfia rovde rov faiou IBiov.
reKetv f$pe<f>os ovk olSev dpKros, ovSe ofioXoyrjoei
rts e£ coS/vcuv ISwv to eKyovov ^cpoyovov etvai
avrfjv, dXXa r) jxev eXoxevOrj, to 8e eltcq Kpeas Kal
dv7)\Lov re Kal drvrroyrov Kal dp,op<f>ov. r) Se rjBrj
<f>iXel Kal yvcoplCei <to> 7 reKVOV, koX vtto roZs

1 7rapa ra> 'O.

2 jj,a9rjfjiaTa ovoZa.

3 Jac : re.

4 Jac : Karen koX iv rjpoiaL re /cat 9ewv rw.

5 Tt.

6 trdaao>v, vl. Trdaas-

7 <rd> add. E.

n6

ON ANIMALS, II. 17-19

has acquired its name, for those who have had
experience call it the Ship-holder. a

18. In Homer skill in treating the wounded and Medicine m
persons in need of medicine goes back as far as the Ag e
third generation of pupil and master. Thus Patro-
clus, son of Menoetius, is taught the healing art by
Achilles,* and Achilles, son of Peleus, is taught by
Cheiron, son of Cronus. And heroes and children ol
the gods learnt about the nature of roots, the use ot
different herbs, the concocting of drugs, spells to
reduce inflammations, the way to staunch blood, and
everything else that they knew. And moreover
there are discoveries which men of a later age have
made. But that Nature really has no need of these
ingenuities is proved by the case of the Elephant; The^
for instance, when it is assailed with spears and a
shower of arrows, it eats the flower of the olive c
or the actual oil, and then shakes off every missile
that has pierced it and is sound and whole again.

19. [And here is another strange feature peculiar The Bear ^
to this airimal.]* The Bear is unable to produce a
cub, nor would anyone allow, on seeing its offspring
immediately after birth, that it had borne a living
thing. Yet the Bear has been in labour, though the
lump of nondescript flesh has no distinguishing mark,
no form, and no shape. But the mother loves it and
recognises it as her child, keeps it warm beneath her

a This is the Sucking-fish or Remora; see Thompson, Gh.
fishes, p. 70.

* Horn. II II. 831. .

« ' TJnde Ael. florem oleae duxerit, nescio (bobneider).

* If these words belong here, the order of the chapters has
been confused : ch. 19 should follow one on Bears.

117

AELIAN

l^qpois Oaklet, Kal Xeatvet rrj yXcorrrj, Kal e/crwot
es dpOpa, Kal fievTot /cat Kara, puKpd €Kfj,op</>oi 3
Kal IBwv ipets rovro dpKrov gkvXolkiov.

20. Kepara aKXivrj Kal 6p8d ear?y/ce ravpois
drraaL s Kal Sid ravra d>s is 6-ttXov 6 dv9pa>7TOS 9
ovrco roc Kal is Kepas 6 ravpos TeOvpLWTat. fides
Be 'EtpvOpatot, Kivovvi rd 1 Kepara <L$ aira.

21. Yij p,ev AtSiOTTis (yecTa>v Be Kal pAXa
dya66s Kal d^toC^Xos to twv Qecov Xovrpov, o
"0{J,7)pos rjfjuv y £lKeav6v aSei) ovkovv ^Se rj yrj
SpaKovrcDV fitfrrjp iorl fxeyiOeo pLeylartov Kal
yap rot /cat is rptaKovra opyvids TTpoiqKovoi, Kal
to ovofia fiev to drro yeveds ov KaXovvTav, foveas
he iXe<f>dvTwv <f>aalv avTOvs, Kal dpuiXXcovTac Trpos
yfjpas to pLrjKiOTov otBe ol BpaKOVTes, Kal Xoyoi
fxev AWloTres ivTavOd fioi loTavTai. Xeyovai Se
<!>pvyioc Xoyoi Kal iv <I>pvyla ylveaQai 2 hpaKovTas,
Kal TTporjKeiv avTOvs is Se/ca opyvids, Kal fieoovv-
tos Oepovs 6cr7}p,epai jLtera irXrjOovaav dyopdv
igipneiv tcov <f>a)Xea)v, Kal napa tqj iroTajJLO) rco
KaXovp,evcp 'PvvhaKcp to p,4v tl Trjs airelpas
drrripetaav is ttjv yrjv, to Xocttov Si acofia dva~
QTiqaavTes nrav, aTpepua Kal rjavxr] tt}v <f>dpvyya
dvaTelvavTes Kal p,evTOi Kal to OTOfia dvol£avTes s
eh-a ra irT7\vd eXKOVow olovel ivyyi tco acr^art.
ra he is Tas eKetvcov ioTcbnTei yaoTepas vtto tt}s
Trap* avTtov iKnvofjs crvpofxeva avTots 7TTepoXs.

1 Jac: Kal. 2 Schn : ydveaOai.

a On the coast of Ionia opposite Chios.

n8

ON ANIMALS, II. 19-21

thighs, smooths it with her tongue, fashions it into
limbs, and little by little brings it into shape ; and
when you see it you would say that this is a Bear's
cub.

20. All Bulls have inflexible and rigid horns, and J^™^
this is why, just as a man puts passion into his
weapons, so a bull puts passion into its horns. But

the oxen of Erythrae a can move their horns as they
do their ears.

21. The land of Ethiopia (the place where the gods

bathe, celebrated by Homer under the name of an a phrygia
Ocean? is an excellent and desirable neighbour),
this land, I say, is the mother of the very largest
Serpents. For, you must know, they attain to a
length of one hundred and eighty feet, and they are
not called by the name of any species, but people say
that they kill elephants, and these Serpents rival
the longest-lived animals. Thus far the accounts
from Ethiopia. But according to accounts from
Phrygia there are Serpents in Phrygia too, and these
grow to a length of sixty feet, and every day in mid-
summer some time after noon they creep out of their
lairs. And on the banks of the river Rhyndacus c
while supporting part of their coils on the ground,
they raise all the rest of their body and, steadily and
silently extending their neck, open their mouth and
attract birds by their breath, as it were by a spell.
And the birds descend, feathers and all, into their
stomach, drawn in by the Serpents' breathing. And

» Hom.JZ. 1.423. , .

6 The Rhyndacus rises in mt Olympus in Mysia and flows
N into the Propontis.

1*9

AELIAN

Kal ravra fxev t'Sta 1 iKelvois Bpdrai is TjXLov
Bvapds* etra iavrovs oi BpaKovres aTTOKpvxjsavres 2
cAAo^aio-t rds 7Tolp,vas Kal ix rijs vop/rjs hfi rd
avXia lovaas aipovvi? Kal ttoXvv fyovov^ ipyaad-
puevoi Kal <rous"> 5 vofieas avvBU<j>Qeipav rroXKaKts,
Kal exovcrt Behrvov a<j>Qovov re Kal apL(j>iXa<f)4s .

22. Tat? d<f>vaig 6 tttjXos yiveals iarr St'
aXXrjXcov Be ov tIktovgw ovBe imytvovrai, TrrjXos
Be iv ttJ daXdrrrj Kal rrdw IXvdnBiqs orav avcrrf}
Kal yevryrai pueXas, dXeatveral re 6 <j>vvei nvl
diropprirco re Kal ^cooyovco Kal pera^aXXerai Kal
is fa)a rperrerai Trdp,7ToXXa. /cat at ye a<f>vai
ravrd ian, orKwXrjKayv BIktjv iv rq> fiopfiopcp Kal
rots fivcrapois rcKropuevajv iKeivaxv. yevopbevai Be
at d<f>va(, vrjKTiKWTarov XPlf 1 ^ elvi, 7 /cat Bpwaw
6 7T€</)VKaaiv , etra dyovral nvi atrta Oavpuaarfj is
rd awrrjpia, ev6a egovcn GKerrr\v Kal 7rp6j3Xr)pa,
fj pueXXei, pcwcrtfia avrals eaeaOat. etrj 5° dv rj
Kara<f>vyrj rj Tver pa - dvear&aa iirl peya Kal
vxjyqXov rj oi KaXovpuevoi Kptfiavor 8 etev 8' dv
avrai 9 KoXrrwBeis irerpai fipajdeiaai 10 re V7TO rwv
Kvpudrcov rep XP° va) Kai KOiXai yeyevrjpievac.
ravra Be dpa avrats rj <f>vats eBetge Kprjor^vyera,
wore vrro rod adXov prj TralecrOat prjBe a<^avtfeo-0at*
daOeveis yap eloi Kal rjKiara rrpos rds iKelvwv
ifjLTrrwcreis avrlrvrroi, rpo^s Be Beovrat ovBe
iv, drroxprj ye prjv dAA^Aa? TrepiXixprjcraoOai.
dypa Be avrcov vr\para ayav Xenra Kal ippa<j>ivra

1 I8ia. 2 VTTOKpvipavres.

3 Wyti : atpovaiv, 4 <$>dopov.

5 <rotfc> add, H. « T e vfi ^Bovrjs eavrov.

120

ON ANIMALS, II. 21-22

these singular practices they continue until sun-
down ; next, the Serpents hide and lie in wait for
the flocks, and as they return to the sheepfolds from
the pasture they fall upon them, and after a terrible
slaughter they have frequently killed the herdsmen
as well, thus obtaining a generous and abundant
feast.

22. Sprats are born of mud ; they neither beget The sprat
nor are begotten of one another, but when the mud
in the sea becomes altogether slimy and thick and
turns black, it is warmed by some inexplicable and
life-giving principle, undergoes a transformation, and
is changed into innumerable living creatures. The
Sprats are these creatures, resembling worms which
are generated in mire and filth. And as soon as born,
Sprats are excellent swimmers, and they do it natur-
ally. Then by some mysterious agency they are led
to safe places where they will find shelter and pro-
tection, so that it will be possible for them to live.
And their place of refuge is likely to be either some
rock that rises to a great height or what are called
' baker's pots * ; these would be rocks full of em-
brasures which the waves have in time eaten away
until they have become hollow. These then are the
retreats to which Nature has pointed them so that
they shall not be battered and demolished by the
swell of the sea ; for they have little strength and
are powerless to resist the impact of the waves.
They need no food, indeed it is enough for them to
lick one another. The way to catch them is to use
exceedingly fine thread with thin pieces from the

7 eort. 8 Kplfiavoi vtto ro)v aXiecov.

• 3ht at. 10 tteiske : ppiOovaau

121

AELIAN

rovrots dpatd GTrjfxovia twp Ifiarccov. 1 Kal Texvrjfjua
fiev €17] av 2 rovro Kal fidka ye dpKovp 3 is atpeGw
re Kal aXaxnv avrwv, is oe d'XXcov lyBvow drjpav

23. T6v aavpov el Tratoas 4 etre e/cd>v etre /cat
Kard Tvyy]v pdfiow fjbiaov StaT^tots", ovhirepov 5
avrco rwv jjiepwv wnoTeQvr\Kep dAAd ^a>/>ts /cat
/ca#' eavrd TfpoeiGi re /cat £t? iirtovp6ii€-
vov to rjjjLirofAov 6 /cat €K<zlvo Kal tovto. etTa
orav avveXdj] (ortaiox ydp 777)0? to Aet7rov to
€T€pov rroXkaKis), GvvhvaaQevTe avv7]X9irrjv e/c
ttJs Biaipiaecos* Kal ivcadels 6 Gavpos, rov p,ev
rrddovs to i^yos avra> Kanqyopel r) ovXtf, TrepiOiwv
ok Kal rr)v dpxalav fiiOTrjv k'x 0JV eot/ce rwv TTpoei-
pTjpuevcov fir) TreTrevpapiepq).

24. *lds fiev 6 rcov ipTTeroiv Secvos ion, Kal 6
ye rrjs doTtLhos in juaAAov. /cat rovrov 7 dvTtrraXa
Kal dp,WT7)pia paoccos ovk av evpot tls, el Kal
crocfxnraros etrj KTjXeuv re oSvvas Kal d<f>avl£ew t

* Uv Se dpa Kal iv avOpcoTTip n$ 16s aTropprjTos,
/cat 7re(f>d)parat top Tpoitov eKeivov. e^tv el Xd-
fiocs, Kal tt&vv evXaficos Te Kal iyKpaTws rov
TpaxtfXov KaTaaxotSi Kal oiaoTrjoas to OTopa
etTa avTW 8 7rpocrnTvaeia$ 3 is tt)p vtjSvv /caroAt-
oQdvei to TTTvaXov, Kal yiveTal 01 togovtov /ca/cov
d)$ G-ryrrew top e^tv. evdev 9 rot /cat dvOpchinp

1 Gov) : dpaicov GTrjfiovtoiv ret tfidna MSS, ipe&v Bemhardy,
TiAjuana JSaupt.

2 ravrais.

3 apuovv jj^yavrjiia.
122

ON ANIMALS, II. 22-24

warp of garments laced in. This device should be
quite sufficient for catching and securing them,
though for the capture of other fish it would be
utterly inadequate.

23. Should you strike a Lizard with a stick and
either on purpose or by accident cut it in two, 1
neither of the two parts is killed, but each moves
separately and by itself, and lives, both the one and
the other trailing on two feet. Then when the
parts meet— for the forepart frequently unites with
the hinder — the two join up and coalesce after their
separation. And the Lizard, now one body, al-
though a scar gives evidence of what it has suffered,
yet runs about and maintains its former method of
life exactly like one of its kind that has had no such
experience.

24. The poison of serpents is a thing to be dreaded, Jhe Asp,

, n 1 * . xt j • its poison

but that of the Asp is far worse. Nor are remedies
and antidotes easy to discover, however ingenious
one may be at beguiling and dispelling acute pains.
Yet after all there is in man also a certain mysterious
poison, and this is how it has been discovered. If
you capture a Viper and grasp its neck very firmly
and with a strong hand, and then open its mouth and
spit into it, the spittle slides down into its belly and Human
has so disastrous an effect upon it as to cause the spi e
Viper to rot away. From this you see how foul can

* Traicra? Kara rov fipdyfiaros most MSS, koto, to fteW V.

5 ovOirepov.

6 iJjatTOftov twv £<£a>v.

7 em rovr<av.

8 eV avrcp. 9 o$€V.

123

AELIAN

hrjyfxa dvQpeorrov puiapov ion Kal KivSweoBeg
ovSevas 6-qplov puetov.

25. *Ev &pa Oepelep, 1 dp/qrov Kar€LXrjtf>6ros Kal
rebv araxvcov rpifiopiivtov h rep Sivep, Kara iXas
ovviaaw ol pLvpp,7]K€S, KaQ* eva lovres Kal Kara
Bvo Be, aAAa Kal is rov rplrov arotxov 2 epxovrai,
rovs eavreov olkovs Kal rds ovvrjOeis oriyas aVo-
Xelrrovres' etra iKXiyovcri reov rrvpobv Kal ra>v
KpiBebv, Kal rrjv avrrjv ^ajpoucrti/ drparrov. Kal
ol fiev amaenv iirl rrjv rwv irpoeiprniivaiv avX-
XoyrfV, ol Be kojm^ovvl rov cf>6prov, Kal rrdw
aiBeoLp,eos Kal Tree^eiapuivajs aXXtfXocs V7racj>iorav-
rai 3 rijs 6Bov, Kal puaXAov rots dx6o<f>6pois ol
KOv<f>or KareX66vr€S Be is rd otKeia rd a<f>ir€pa 4
Kai TrXypcoaavres rovs iv rep pjvx& o<j>lcn aipovs, 5
€Kaurov anippLaros Btarpyjaavres ro p,iaov, ro
[Lev eKrrecrov BetTivov ylverai rep fxvpfirjKC iv red
r€WSj ro Be Xoittov dyovov ion. rraXapieovrai Be
dpa ol yewatoi ocKovopuoo Kal cf>povpol rovro } Iva
fir] rcov ofxfiptov Trepippevodvrojv, elra eKepvow
oXoKXrjpa meiva ovra Xdfir} rivd Kal dvaOrjXr], Kal
rovrcov yevofievwv drpochia Kal Xifiep Bid ^et/xcDvos
TTzpwriejtooi, Kal avrois i^apb^Xeoorj rj arrovB^.
thvaetos p,ev Brj Kal p,vpp,i]Kes Xafieiv Bcopa evrvxq-
oav Kal ravra, ebs aAAa.

26. OvBerrore deros ovre TTiqyrjs Betrai ovre
yXtxerai Kovtorpas s dXXd Kal Bli/sovs dpuelvcov
earl, Kal Kafidrov <f)dpfxaKov ovk dvapbiven, rropi-

1 Qepdtp rrepl ras aAa)?.

124

2 to . . . GTouxeiov.

ON ANIMALS, II. 24-26

be the bite of one man to another and as dangerous
as the bite of any beast.

25. In the summertime when the harvest is in The Ant
and the corn is being threshed on the threshing-floor,
Ants assemble in companies, going in single file or

two abreast— indeed they sometimes go three
abreast—after quitting their homes and customary
shelters. Then they pick out some of the barley
and the wheat and all follow the same track. And
some go to collect the grain, others carry the load,
and they get out of each other's way with the utmost
deference and consideration, especially those that
are not laden for the benefit of those that are.
Then they return to their dwellings and fill the pits in
their store-chamber after boring through the middle
of each grain. What falls out becomes the Ant's
meal at the time ; what is left is infertile. This is a
device on the part of these excellent and thrifty
housekeepers to prevent the intact grain from put-
ting out shoots and sprouting afresh when the rains
have surrounded them, and to preserve themselves
in that case from falling victims during the winter
to want of food and to famine, and their zeal from
being blunted. : It is to Nature then that Ants
too owe these and other fortunate gifts.

26. At no time does the Eagle need water or long The Eagle
for a dusting-place ; he is on the contrary superior to
thirst and looks for no medicine for weariness from

3 a<j>iaravrai 17.

4 o<f>erepa ot yewatot.

5 Jac 1 oipovs TWpcov re Kal Kpi>8&v>

I2 5

aOev e£w9ev, V7T€pcf>povajv Be /cat rcbv vBdriov Kal
rrjs dvairavoeoos rov aWeptov ripvei rroXov, 1 Kal
o^vrara opa €K ttoXXov rov aWepos Kal vifcrjAov.
/cat rov ye rcbv Trrepcbv avrov pot£ov kclI to rcbv
drjpiwv drpeTrrorarov 6 BpaKcov aKovaas ptovov
7rapaxpfjp>a 2 KareBv /cat dvptevcos rjcpavtoQT] .
fiaoavos Be ol rcbv veorrtbv rcbv yviqatwv £k€lvt)
iartv. dvrtovs rfj avyfj rov rjXlov larrjcrtv avrovs
vypovs 3 en /cat dVrTjvas* /cat edv ptey aKapBaptvgr)
ris rrjv aKptrjv rrjs aKrivos BvucoTrovpevos > i^ecoaOr)
rrjs KoXtds 3 /cat a7T€KpL6iq rrjcrBe rrjs cartas' iav
Be avrtfiXeifcr] /cat ptdXa drpeirrcoSy dptewwv iarlv
virovolas /cat rots' yvi)Gu>i$ iyyeyparrrai, iirel
avrcb Trvp to ovpdviov r) rov yevovs dBeKaaros re
/cat amparos 4 dXrjOcbs icrrtv iyypa<j>rj .

27. 'H arpovOos r) fjLeydXrj Xaortots pev rots
irrepots irrrepwrat, dpBrjvat Be Kal is fiadvv depa
pLeretopicrdfjvat <f>vcrtv ovk e^et. 6et Be co/ctara,
/cat rds rrapd rrjv TrXevpdv ifcarepav rrrepvyas
dirXol, /cat ipmtrrrov to irvevpua koXttoZ BIktjv
icrrlwv avrds?

28. Trjv tbrtBa <ro> 6 £cbov opvtdcov etvat ^tXtir-
TTorarov aKOVco. Kal to 7 paprvpiov, rcbv ptev
dXXcov £<x)u>v Kal ev Xeipttbot Kal iv avXcbai vepopte-
vcov Kara<f>pover lttttov Be orav Qedaiqrdi, yjBtara
irpOGTrererat Kal rrXrjatdCet Kara rovs rcbv dvBptb-
ttoyv t7T7repaGrd$ .

1 rov depa refivec ttoXvv. 2 koX irapaxprjua.

8 Joe: apyofe. .. ; * Pawwi aypairros.

126

ON ANIMALS, II. 26-28

any outside source, but scorning water and repose he
cleaves the atmosphere and gazes with piercing eye
from the vast expanse of heaven on high. And at
the mere sound of those rushing wings even that
most intrepid of all creatures, the great serpent, dives
at once into its den and is glad to disappear. And
this is the way in which the Eagle tests the legitimacy
of his young ones. He plants them, while they are
still tender and unfledged, facing the rays of the sun,
and if one of them blinks, unable to endure the
brightness of the rays, it is thrust out of the nest and
banished from that hearth. If however it can face
the sun quite unmoved, it is above suspicion 'and is
enrolled among the legitimate offspring, since the
celestial fire is an impartial and uncorrupt register of
its origin.

27. The Ostrich is covered with thick feathers, but The ostrich
its nature does not permit it to rise from the ground

and mount aloft into the sky. Yet its speed is very
great, and when it spreads its wings on either side,
the wind meeting them causes them to belly like
sails.

28. Among birds the Bustard is, I am told, the The Bustard
most fond of horses. And the proof of this is that it

scorns all other animals that live in field or glen, but
that when it catches sight of a horse, it delights to,
fly up to it and to keep it company, just like men
who are devoted to horses.

5 auras, Trrrjatv Se ovk otSev.
. e <rd> add. E.
7 rovrov.

AELIAN

29. Mvia iprreaovua is vhcop, el /cat 1 Ja>tm>
iorl Opaavrdrrj, dXXd yovv ovr eirirpex^^ ovre
vrjKrtKrf sun, Kal Sia ravra diTOTTV %y 'erai. el Se
avrrjs i£eXocs rov veKpov, Kal ri<f>pav ipTrdoeias
Kal KaraSelrjs 3 iv r)X£ov avyfj, avafiidbar) rr)v
pvtav,

30. 'AAeKTpvova eire rrpidpevos elre Swpov
Xafiwv is ri)v dyeXrjv rrjv aeavrov Kal rovs
opviOas rovs r)9d8as iOeXocs dpiOpetv* ovk drroXv-
aeis ovhe d<f>rjaeis eiKrj Kal d>s ervftev avrov* el
hi p,r\ s <f>vyds rrapaxp^pd olxtfcrerai is rovs
oIkzIovs Kal rovs avvvopovs, et Kal rtdvv rrop-
patSev €17) oSros. Bet Se dpa avrw (f>povpdv
TrepifiaXetv Kal heaped d<f>avr] vrrep rd 'Hcfyalcrrov
rd 'Oprjpeia. Kal 6 ye Xeyco roiovrov ion.
rpdrreCav i<f>* fjs ioBieis is peaov KaraBels Kal
rov opviOa Xaficbv Kal rpls avrov rrjv 7rpoeipr]-
pevrjv OKTjvrjV irepiayaywv, pedes rd ivrevOev
d<f>erov dXacrdat ovv rots opviai rots owcerats" o
Be ovk diraXXdrr erai, atorrep ovv 7T€7re8Y)pevos.

31. *H oaXapdvopa ro £<x>ov ovk eon pev rcov
7rvp6s iKyovcov^ worrep ovv ol KaXovpevoi rrvpl-
yovoi, Bappei he avro Kal X^P^ T V <f>Xoyl opooe,
Kal <Ls avrirraXov riva orrevhei KaraywvloaoOai.
Kal to paprvpiovf Ttepl 7 rovs fiavavoovs KaXw-
hetrai Kal rovs ^etpcova/CTa? rovs ipnvpovs* is
daov pev odv ivaKpd^ei to irvp avrois, Kal ovvep-

1 et Kal] Kal yap €t. 2 dvrexei,

3 KaTa8ijo€L$. * dpidjjLelv ko.1 e^eiv.

128

ON ANIMALS, II. 29-31

29. When a Fly falls into the water, though it is^aiiy
of all creatures the most daring, yet it can neither

run upon the surface nor swim, and hence it drowns.
If however you pick out the dead body, sprinkle
ashes upon it, and place it in the sunshine, you will
bring the Fly to life again.

30. If you want to add a Cockerel, whether bought
or presented, to your flock of domestic fowls, you
must not release him nor let him loose at random
and in a casual way; otherwise he will immediately
desert and go back to his own kin and mates, how-
ever far away from them he be. So you must set
upon him a guard and fetters more invisible than
those of Hephaestus in Homer [Od. 8. 274-]. What
I prescribe is this. Place the table at which you eat,
in the open, seize the Cockerel, and when you have
taken him three times round the aforesaid platform,
then let him go free to wander with the fowls of the
house. He will not go away any more than if he were
chained up.

31. The Salamander is not indeed one of those ■g£f£ a -
fire-born creatures like the so-called ' Fire-flies,' «

yet it is as bold as they and encounters the flame and
is eager to fight it like an enemy. And the proof of
this is as follows. Its haunts are among artisans and
craftsmen who work at the forge. Now so long as
their Are is at full blast and they have it to help

a See ch. 2,

5 iityovayv ovBe e£ avrov TiVrerat.
/cat rovrov rd fiaprvpia.
7 napd.

129

AELIAN

ydv 1 rfj TGjfyji exovatv avro Kal kolvcovov rfjs
ao<j)las, yirep rovBe rov £tpov ovBe £v <f>povri£ovaiv\
orav Be to fjuev dirocrfieGdfj Kal p,apav6fj, pArrjv Be
at </>vaai Karanveaycrw, evravda 97877 to faiov to
elp^puevov dvriirparrov atf)ioiv 'Ivaai koXcos. dvi^X"
vevcravres oSv to Orjplov /cat ripia>pr)ddfxevoi y to
Tivp ivrevOev avrols e^aTrrerai, /cat earw evireiQes,
/cat ov ofievwrai rfj crvvrjdeta rpe<f>6fjLevov .

32. Kvkvos Be, ovjrep ovv /cat Oepdirovra *Arr6X-
Xoivi eBouav 7roL7jral /cat Aoyot p,erptov d<f>eipLevoc
ttoXXoI, to. fxev dXXa ottcos p,ovar)$ re /cat <1>8t}s
e^et ehreiv ovk otBa' TTeirlarevrai Be vtto twv
dvco rov xpovov ore to KVKveiov ovra> KaXovpuevov
aaa$ etra aTroOvrjarKet. Tt/xa Be apa avrov rj
<j>v&is Kal rGiv KaXcov /cat dyaBcov dv8pco7ra>v
fxdXXov, /cat eiKortos' el ye toutousv /xe^ /cat
eiraivovai /cat Oprjvovoiv dXXoi, eKeivoi Be elre
rovro iOeXots elre eKelvo, eavrots vepuovcriv.

33. Kpo/coStAos jitei> oWo? ej^et peyedovs /cat o
reXeios Kal 6 €KyXv<f>els rrpcorov, /cat \ievroi Kal
yXcorrrjs oVa)?, Kal el Kivei 2 rrjV yewv y Kal
rroripav rfj erepa 7Tpoadyei y ttoXXoI Xeyovai.
Kareyvcocrav Be apa rov £toov rovBe rcves on
tlkt€C 3 Toaa£»Ta cod ocracs dv 4 rjfjiepais errcod^ov 5
etra eKyXvtprj rd veorr ta* yjBrj Be eyayye rfKovaa,
6 KpoKoBiXog orav aVo^aVrj, 6 vKOpirlov i£ avrov
riKreadai, Kevrpov Be apa ovpalov avrov e^etv
Xeyov aw lov TreirXT] pajpuevov.

1 avvepyov avrots. 2 a /am] Eeiske ; em/aveT,

130

ON ANIMALS, II. 31-33

their craft and to share their skill, they pay not
the smallest attention to this animal. When how-
ever the fire goes out or languishes and the bel-
lows blow in vain, then at once they know full
well that the aforesaid creature is working against
them. Accordingly they track it down and exact
vengeance ; and then the fire is lit, is easily coaxeel
up, and does not go out, provided it is kept fed with
the usual material.

32. The Swan is assigned by poets and many prose- The Swan
writers as servant to Apollo, but in what other rela- andltss01
tion it stands to music and song I do not know. Yet

the ancients believed that when it has sung what is
called its ' swan-song,' it dies. In that case Nature
honours it more highly than it does noble and up-
right men, and rightly so, for while others praise
and lament them, Swans praise or, if you will, lament
themselves.

33. Many writers tell us about the size of the ^ o e codile
Crocodile both when fully grown arid when first
hatched, and further, about its tongue, and whether

it moves its jaw and which jaw it closes upon the
other. There are those too who have observed that
this animal lays as many eggs as the days during
which it sits upon them before hatching out its young.
And I have myself heard that when a Crocodile dies
a scorpion is born from it; and they do say that it
has a sting in its tail which is full of poison.

3 Tt/cret jLiev. * av /ccu.^

5 iTTipd^ovaw opveLs, 6 Jac: owens av airodavoi.

AELIAN

34. Et aa</>r} ravra Kal firj dp,<f>t\oya, 'IvSow
Aoyot veideraxrav a he vvv ip&, rr^s iKeWev
</>rj(J,r}$ $LaKOiut;ovo7}$, ravrd iariv. 6fia)W(j,ov t£
</>vrq) KiwdfjLcofLOV opviv eywye rov wuSos jov
NiKOfxdxov Xeyovros T)Kovva. Kal rov p,ev opviv
Kopi^ew 1 to <j}€pa)WfJbOv rovro 8^ <}>vt6v 2 is
'IvSoife, eiSeW Se dpa rovs dvOpojirovs ottov re 3
Kal ottojs <f>verat ovBe ev.

35. Klyvirnoi KXvopbara Kal KaOapaw yaarpos
ovk €K twos imvolas dvdpa)7rlvrjs Xiyovai fiaOetv,
StSaovcaAoi> Si o<f>ioi rod Idpuaros rovSe rrjv lf$iv
aSovviv. Kal ottojs ige-rfalSevae rovg irpdirovs^
Idovras, ipel aXXog- veXrjvrjs Be avgrjoiv /ecu
fidaxiLV on otBe, Kal rovro yKovcra. Kal ore ty]v
rpo<f>rjv iavrfj v<f>aipet Kal Trpooridrjov Kara rrjv
T-rjs Oeov KaiXrjgiv Kdl rrpocrdeow, TrvBeoBai troBev
ovk elpl eljapvos.

36. Kevrpov mKporarov Kal kIvBvvov <f>epov
dwdvrojv fiaXXov rj rpvywv rj 4k rrjs daXdrrqs
€X€i. Kal to p,aprvpiov 3 el puev is BivBpov reBrjXds
Kal ed fidXa dvadeov ifnrrjgetas avro, ovre is
dvafioXds ovre XP° V( P vorepov aXX ijSrj adov to
BevBpov el Be ri rwv Ccocov dpuvijeias, aTreKretvas.

37. e H pcvyaXrj 4 is oaov p,kv rr)v aXXcos TTpoeioi,
tfqv e'xet, Kal iotreLaaro avrfj rj <f>vois, idv ye fir)
dXXrj rivl rvXTI KaraXr}<f>Bfj Kal dtToXrjrar i-ndv

1 Bernhardy : Ko/u£eur evr€v9ev.

2 to (j>vr6v. 3 Reiske : ye.

4 jjLvyaXr) koX yap rovro noiTjixa v\rjs*

132

ON ANIMALS, II. 34-37

34. If these facts are certain and beyond dispute, The
then let this story from India carry conviction. biS^ 011
What I propose to tell has been brought from thence

by report and is as follows. I have learnt from the
son of Nicomachus [Arist. HA 616 a 6] that there is a
bird named Cinnamon like the plant, and that the
bird brings this plant, which is named after it, to the
Indians, but that these people have no knowledge
where and how the plant grows.*

35. The Egyptians assert that a knowledge °f ^|^ ters
clysters and intestinal purges is derived from no dis- an
covery of man's, but they commonly affirm that it

was the Ibis that taught them this remedy. And
how it instructed those who were the first to see it,
some other shall tell. And I have also heard that it
knows when the moon is waxing and when waning ;
and I cannot deny that I have learnt from some source
that it diminishes or increases its food according as
the goddess herself diminishes or increases.

36. The Sting-ray in the sea has a far fiercer and | t h ^ g . ray
more dangerous sting than all other creatures. The
proof is that if you fix it in a nourishing tree that has
grown to a great height, then without any delay,
before any time has elapsed, the tree immediately
withers. And if you allow the sting to scratch any
living creature, you kill it at once.

37. So long as the Shrew-mouse proceeds as chance The Shrew-
directs, it can live, and Nature is on friendly terms

with it, unless it is overtaken by misfortune from

See 17. 21.

133

AELIAN

he is apiiarorpox^ i^Trdarj , olovel rrehrj KareL-
Xrj7TT€Li koX fu£Aa a<f>aveL, Kal redvrjKe. S^eWi
he vtto fivyaXrjs <t>dpfiaKov itcetvo. e« rfjs rcov
rpox&v hiahpojXTjs rj i/sa^os dpQelaa
rq> §rjyp,an 9 Kal ecrcoae 7rapaxpfjfia.

38. Kai ravra he virep rfjs kiywrrjlas ifteais
rrpocraKrjKoa. lepd rfjs acA^s f) opvis iori.
rooovrcov yovv 1 rjfxepwv rd <ha eKyXv<j>ei, oaa>v
rj 6eos avgei re Kal X-qyei. rfjs he klyvrrrov
ovirore a7ToB7]fji€l. to Se afocov, vorta)rdr7] xo>P&v
airaa&v Myvrrros ion, Kal 17 aeXyiq he voriwrarnq
rcov irXavwfievayv dorpcov rremcrrevrai. ^ eKovoa
fxev odv ovk dv d7rohr}fM-qaeiev rj tfiis' €t Se^-uy
imOefievos avrfj Kara rd Kaprepov iJ;aydyoi,J\ he
dpivverac rov e-mfiovXevcFavra, is ovhev avrcp rrjv
o-rrovhrjv irpodyovcra^ iavrrjv ^ yap drroKrelvei
Xtfia), Kal dvovrjrov rrjv TTpoOvfilav diro^aLveL t<£
TrpoeipTjfjLevw. jSa8t£« he rjOV X fj Kal KopiKwj, Kal
ovk av avTqv Bdrrov 7} pdhrjv rrpo'iovoav dedoairo
ns. Kal rovrojv at fieXaivat rovs rrrepmrovs
d<f>eis e£ 'ApajStas is Myvirrov irapeXBelv jvk
iTTiTpeirovai, rfjs yfjs rfjs <t>lXr}s TrpOTroXefiovaar
al he erepai rovs i£ kid lonias Kara ^v rov
Ne&W i-rrUXvcnv d(j>iKvovpievovs aTravr&oai 8ta-
</>6elpovviv. rj rl dv iKwXvcxe hid rfjs eWiw
imh-qpiCas rovs klyvirrlovs drroXcoXevai ;

39. *kKova) he n Kal yeuos derwv, Kal 6vop,a
avrcp xP VG ^ TOV ^Oevro, dXXoc he doreplav rov

1 Beishe : o$v. 2 irpoayayovaa.

134

ON ANIMALS, II. 37-39

some other quarter and is killed. When however it
falls into a rut, it is caught, so to say, in quite
invisible fetters and dies. The remedy for a man
who has been bitten by a Shrew-mouse is as follows.
Take some sand from the wheel-track, sprinkle it on
the bite, and it cures him immediately.

38. Here is another story relating to the Egyptian The ibis
Ibis which I have heard. The bird is sacred to the
moon. At any rate it hatches its eggs in the same
number of days that the goddess takes to wax and

to wane, and never leaves Egypt. The reason for
this is that Egypt is the moistest of all countries and
the moon is believed to be the moistest of all planets.
Of its own free will the Ibis would never quit Egypt,
and should some man lay hands upon it and forcibly
export it, it will defend itself against its assailant and
bring all his labour to nothing, for it will starve itself
to death and render its captor's exertions vain. It
walks quietly like a maiden, and one would never see
it moving at anything faster than a foot's pace. The
Black Ibis does not permit the winged serpents from
Arabia to cross into Egypt, but fights to protect the
land it loves, while the other kind encounters the
serpents that come down the Nile when in flood and
destroys them. Otherwise there would have been
nothing to prevent the Egyptians from being killed
by their coming.

39. There is, I am told, a species of eagle to which The Golden
men have given the name of ' Golden Eagle,' though Eagle

*35

AELIAN

avrov KaXovaw Spar at, Se ov noKXaKis* Xeyet
Se 'ApiaroreXrjs avrov d-qpav Kal vefipovs ml
Xayws koI yepdvovs Kal xfyas it; avXfjs. ^ fieytaros^
Se dercov ehai rrertlor evrai> Kal XeyovoL ye 1 Kal
ravpois irnrtOeaBai avrov Kara ro Kaprepov, Kal
rtepvryyovvrai ro epyov rov rpoirov rovrov. o ftev
KeKV</>cbs Kara) viper at 6 ravpos* 6 Be deros em
rco revovn rod £<x>ov KaOloas eavrov natei rw
arofian avve^i^ Te Kal Kaprepats rats rrXrjyais'
6 Se &arrep olorprjOels i^dirrerai, Kal $ ttoScov
e%ei <f>vyfjs apx^rai. Kal ecus fxev eartv evrjXara,
6 deros 7}crvx6s eon Kal iirvrrorarai rtapafyvXdr-
row orav Se rov ravpov deaayrai TrXrjcrlov
Kprjfivov yeyevrjfievov, KVKXwaas ra rrrepa Kai
vireprelvas avrov rwv o^OaXfiwv, iirolrjcre rd iv
7Toal fj/Yj TTpoiSopievov 2 KarevexOrjvai, jStatorara.
elra ifivrecrcov Kal dvapprjgas rrjv yaarepa, paSlws
XpTjrat rfj dypa 3 is ocrov ideXei. Btfpas Se aAAo-
rpias oi>x drrrerai Ketfievrjs, dXXd %at/>et rots
eavrov ttovols, Koivayvtav re rrjv irpos dXXov rfKiora
ivSex^rac. KOpeaOels Se elra rod Xomov rrovripbv
daSfia Kal SvawSiorarov Karauvevaas } dppojra
rols dXXois rd Xekfsava ia. Kal fievrot Kal dX-
Xi]Xo)V dTTcpKiaiLevas oIkovoi KaXids virep rov prq
Sia<j>epeodai vrrep dripas [/cat Xvirovpivovs Xvirelv
TToXXaKis] . 3

40. *Hi> <Se> 4 dpa yevos der&v Kal rrpos rovs
rpe(f>ovras <f>iX6aropyov , aiorrep odv /cat o rov
flvppov. rovrov rol <£aat /cat irrwrrodavelv 5 rep

1 ye els rovs Kprjras. 2 0. Hoffmann : 7r/wetS-.

3 [ko.1 . . . 7roAAa/«s] del, H.

136

ON ANIMALS, II. 39-40

others call it Asterias (starred). And it is seldom

seen. Aristotle says a that it hunts fawns, hares,

cranes, and geese of the farmyard. It is believed to

be the largest of eagles ; at any rate men say that it

attacks bulls with violence, and its method of attack

they describe as follows. The bull is feeding with

his head down, and the Eagle alights upon his neck its method

and with its beak delivers a rain of powerful blows. bun3 taCMne

And the bull goes wild as though stung by a gadfly,

and sets off to run as fast as he can go. So long

as the land makes going easy the Eagle bides its

time, flying above him and watching. But directly

it sees the bull near a precipice it makes an arch with

its wings, covers the bull's eyes so that he cannot see

what is before him, and down he goes with a fearful

crash. Whereupon the Eagle pounces, rips open his

stomach, and has no difficulty in enjoying its prey to

its heart s content. But the prey killed by some

other creature it will not touch : rather it delights

in its own labours and will not for one moment admit

any other creature to share them. Later when it

has gorged itself, it breathes over the rest of the

carcase a foul and most ill-smelling air, leaving the

remains unfit for any other animal to eat. What is

more, Eagles build their nests far apart from one

another so as to avoid quarrelling over their prey [and

being a constant source of mutual hurt].

40. It seems that Eagles are full of affection even Ba ^ e »

11*1 i-nii 1 * 8 devotion

towards their keepers ; witness the Kagle that to its keeper
belonged to Pyrrhus, which (they say) on the death

The passage is not to be found in his extant works.
* <Se> add. H. 6 Jac : ivairodavetv.

*37

AELIAN

hearrorrj rpo(f>fj$ arroaravra. rjSr] he Kal dvhpds
thicorov aeros rpofafxos Kaofievov rod heoyorov
£$ rrjv rrvpdv iavrov ive/SaXev ol Se ovk dvhpos,
dXXa yvvacKOS to dpep^fxa elval <£aox. ^Xorvrrcora-
rov he apa rjv 1 £aiov aeros 7rp6$ rd veoma. idv
yovv dedarjral nva rrpoaiovra, d-rreXdeiv dri^dipy]-

TOV OVK hrVTpiwi' TTaiei yap TOIS 7TT€pOlS CLVTOV

Kal rots ow^i Xufjuatverat, Kal eirir'Sf\aiv ol

<TT€<f>€l<TfJL€VWS TTJV hlKrjV OV yip XPV rai T $> VTOfAaTl.

41. "EoTfc he OaXarrlcov £aW rpLyX-q Xiyyorarov,
koX is to aTToyevaaadat, rravros rod Traparvxovros
dvap,<f>iX6ya)s d^eiheurarov . Kal rives KaXovvrai
Xevrpwheis avrcov, arrdaaaai to ovofia €K rcov
X<opla>v, airep odv irerpas €%et Xe-rrpds 2 re Kal
dpaids, Kal <j>VKia fieaa rovroiv haaea, feat ttov
koI VTroKdO-qrat ttt}X6s rj t/fajxixos . </>dyoi 8 s av
rplyXrj Kal dvOptbirov veKpov Kal iyBvos* <f>cXr]hovcri
he [xaXAov rots. iLejiiaoiievois Kal KaKoafiots .

42. ®7]pdaai Kal /xaAa ye iKavol Kal ovhev rt
yuelov rcov dertov UpaKes eluiv, rjfiepcoraroi Se
opvldcov 7re<f>vKaai Kal faXavdpWTroraroi, to peyeQos
dertov ovk ovres oXcytorepoi. aKovco he on ev
rrj ®paK7} Kal dvQ pamois elal avvBiqpoL iv rats
iXeiois dypais. Kal 6 rpotros, ol p,£v dvOpcorrot ra
hiKrva airXtbaavres rjavxdCovcrw, ol he lepaKes
VTrepTreropievoi <f>of3ovcn 3 rovs opveis 4 Kal avvoidov-
ow e$ rds rcov hiKrvcov irepifioXds. rcov ovv
fjprjfAevwv ol &paK€s jxipos drcoKplvovai Kai efcet.-
vois, Kal exovaiv tf>lXov$ 5 mcrrovs' psr] hpdaavres

1 Kal t^Xorvrranarov fy. 2 Ges : Xetrras.

138

ON ANIMALS, II. 40-45

of its master abstained from food and died too. And
there was once an Eagle reared by a private citizen
which threw itself on to the pyre where its master's
body was burning. Some say that it had been reared
not by a man but by a woman. The Eagle is appar-
ently the most jealous guardian of its young. Atanatoits
any rate if it sees anyone approaching them, it does young
not allow him to depart unpunished, for it beats him
with its wings and lacerates him with its talons ; and
the punishment it inflicts is moderate, for it does not
use its beak.

\

41. The Eed Mullet is of all sea animals the most The ned
gluttonous and indisputably the most unrestrained in
tasting everything it comes across. And some of
them are known as 4 roughs/ deriving their name

from places where there are rough rocks full of holes
and thick growths of seaweed in them, and where
there is a bottom of mud or sand. A Red Mullet
would eat the dead body of a man or of a fish, and
its special delight is in filthy, ill-smelling food.

42. Falcons are excellent at fowling and are no The Falcon
whit inferior to eagles ; they are by nature the tamest

of birds and the most attached to man ; in size they
are as large as eagles. And I am told that in Thrace
they even join with men in the pursuit of marsh-fowl.
And this is how they do it. The men spread their
nets and keep still while the Falcons fly over them
and scare the fowl and drive them into the circle of
nets. For this the Thracians allot a portion of their
catch to the Falcons and find them trusty friends ;

3 Kal <f>ofSo€ai.

5 avrovs.

139

AELIAN

Se tovto iavTovs twv ov\l\iAxojv iareprjaav.
jtta^erat he 6 TeXeios Upai; /cat wpos dXojireKa /cat
7rp6s a€TQV } /cat yvrrl px^erat 7roAAa/cty. /ca/>Stav
8e ov/c av <£ayot Trork Upag, reXeoTiKOv htfnov

BpCOV KCU fJMGTlKOV €K€LVOS TOVTO. V€KpOV §€

avdpQJTrov IBwv lepa^ } (f>s Xoyos, TrdvTws empaXXet
yrjs T(p a,Td(f>q) (kcu tovto fiev avTCp ov KeXevei
HoXwv ovhe 2 aa)jj,aTOS a^erat. fteWt <Se> 3
ayevaros 1 /cat ttotov, idv is auAa/ca inox^revr) et$
avBpWTTOS* TremoT€VK€ yap aVTOV TTOVOVfieVOV

CrjfJLlOVV V<f>aLpOV[Jb€VOS €/C T7j$ €K€LVOV XP € ^ aS VOOJp*

el he trXelovs eirdphoiev, d<f>6ovlav tov pevpaTos
opcbv, d>$ </>iAorqalas twos avTcbv fteraAajit/?dWi,
/cat Trivet rjoecos.

43. "Eort <f>vXov lepaKCOV, /cat KaXeurat Keyxp^ls,
Kal 7totov Setrat ovhe ev. 4 opevnqs Be yevos aXXo
avTCov /cat eK&Wepos 5 ecm Setv&s 1 (juXodrjXvs, /cat
eireTat Kara tovs SvoreptOTas , ovoe aTroXevrreTai.
el he rj yvvrj direXdoi ttov TrapaXadovoa, 6 he
VTrepaXyeX Kal fioa } /cat eot/ce XvTrovpbevo) ipoiTiKcos
ed /xaAa. KapovTes he ttjv oiftiv tepaKes, evQv tow
alpbaoriajv tacrt, /cat Trjv dypcav 8pthaKtvr)v dvaaTrw-
ol, /cat tov ottov avTrjs iriKpov ovTa Kal hpipuvv
virep rcov 6</>6aXii(x)v alcopovai row o<f>eTepa>v s /cat
XeifiofJLevov Se^ovrat, /cat tovto avTOts vyceiav
epydteTat. Xiyovoi he Kal tovs laTpiKovs xPV a ^ at

1 Itoktev, ois *A$7]vatocs C7rat8a>cre Spdv.

2 Jac : d be.

3 <Se> a^. Ges.

4 Secrat cw;8ei>.

5 Sckn : e/axoros 1 .

140

ON ANIMALS, II. 42-43

if they do not do so, they at once deprive themselves
of helpers. Now the full-grown Falcon will fight
both with a fox and with an eagle ; with a vulture
it frequently fights. But a Falcon will never eat
the heart, thereby presumably fulfilling some mystic
rite. If a Falcon sees the dead body of a man
(so it is said), it always heaps earth upon the un-
buried corpse, though Solon laid no such injunc-
tion upon it, and will never touch the body. And it
even refrains from drinking if a solitary man is
engaged in leading off water into a channel, feeling
sure that it will cause damage to the man who so
labours if it purloins the water which he needs. But
if several men are engaged in irrigating, it sees that
the stream is abundant and takes its share from the
loving-cup, so to speak, which they offer, and is glad
to drink.

43. There is a species of hawk known as the Kestrel The Kestrel,
which has no need whatever to drink. Another |^ ites
species is the Orites Hawk. Both species are remark-
ably addicted to the female bird and pursue it after
the manner of lovesick men and never cease from the
pursuit. But should the female chance to disappear
without the male noticing it, he is overcome with
grief and cries aloud and is like one in the depths of
woe from love.

When Hawks are troubled with their eyesight they The Hawk
go straight to some stone wall and pull up some wild troubles
lettuce and then holding it above their eyes allow
the bitter, astringent juice to drip in; and this
restores their health. And men say that doctors use

Solon, of Athens, c. 640-c. 560 B.C., reformed the laws and
constitution.

141

AELIAN

rq>he rw (jxtpfxdfcw is rfjv xpdav rcov Ka\wdvroiv
rrjv avytfv, /cat e/c ra>v opvtdwv rj laats /ce/cA-qraf
/cat ovk dpvovvrat fiaBrjral aKovovres opvLBow ol
dvdpamot, aAAa SfioXoyovcn. Xeyerat he /cat
SeocrvXrjv iv AeX(f>ots iXeygat rrore lepa£ , i\vrrvnrow
re avrip /cat iralcov rrjv Ke^aX-qv, marevovrdt Be
efvat tepa/ces /cat v6Qot } dvrtKpidivres 1 irpos ras
rcov dercov <f>vXds. rjpos he apxopiivov ol iv Ai-
yvrrrco rcov airavT(x)v hvo 7Tpoaipovvrat } /cat arro-
uriXXovcri KaraorKeiffOfJtevovs, vrjvovs rtvds iprjfjtovs,
ahrep 2 oSv rrjs Atfivrjs TtpoKetvrat. elra viroarpe-
<j>ovaw ovroij /cat rjyovvrai rrjs Trrrioetas rots
aXXois. ol he rfKovres 3 eoprrjv virep rrjs ernS^ta?
rots 4 iv rfj AtjSw? 7rapexovtrr alvovrat yap ovhe
iv. irapeXOovres he is ras vrjerovs, as ol irptorot
Oeaodfievot rcov dXXa>v imrrjheiorepas o<f>latv
eKpivav, ivravda Kara TroXXrjv rrjv yaXrjvrjv re /cat
rjcrvxlav 5 drrorLKrovat /cat iKyXvcf>ovvi } /cat drjpcov-
rat arpovdovs /cat TreAetaSas, /cat rovs veorrovs
iv d<j>dovots itcrpetpovcrw etra yjhrj rrayevras /cat
iKvenQO-lfjuovs yeyevrjfievovs TrapaXafiovres is rrjv
AHyvTirov drrdyovaiv 3 coairep ovv is rd ot/ceta
<Va)> 6 irarpcoa ras iv rots avvrpochots ^to/nots"
StarptjSas 1 .

44. At lovXihes Ix^vs elat rrerpats evrpochot, /cat
exovcrtv lov to crrofia efirrXecov /cat orov dv tx@vos
aTroyevocovrai, dfipcorov aW^vav avrov. 77877 he
/cat ol aAtets rjfjttfipcorcp /ca/n'St ireptrvxovres , /cat

1 avaKpidivres* 2 ocraiTrep.

3 Jac : zkovtgs, 4 Jac : a.TTO$7)ij.las rijs.

5 T7}V rjovxlav. 6 (rd"} add. H.

142

ON ANIMALS, II. 43-44

this drug for the benefit of those whose sight is
affected, and the remedy derives its name from these
birds. And men do not refuse to be called the
disciples of birds ; rather they admit as much.

It is said that once upon a time a Hawk at Delphi Hawt^
proved a man guilty of sacrilege by swooping upon sacrilege
him and striking his head. It is also believed that
Hawks are bastards, if they be compared with the
various kinds of eagles.

At the beginning of spring the Hawks of Egypt Hawks of
select two from all their number and despatch them
to reconnoitre certain desert islands off the coast of
Libya. When they return they act as leaders to the
rest in their flight. And their arrival is the occasion
of rejoicing on the part of the Libyans at their
sojourn, for they do no damage whatever. And hav-
ing reached the islands which the original scouts
decided were the most suitable for them, they there
lay and hatch their eggs in complete security and
peace ; and they hunt sparrows and pigeons and rear
their young in an abundance of food. Then when
these have grown strong and are able to fly, they
take the young birds with them back to Egypt as
though they were going to their own homes, that
is to their haunts in regions they have grown to
know.

44. Rainbow Wrasses are nurslings of rocks, and
their mouth is full of poison, and whatever fish they Vrasse^
touch they render uneatable. Indeed if it should
happen that fishermen, coming upon a half-eaten
prawn and fancying that their catch is unsaleable,

A certain species with short, round leaves was known as
Hieracion, for the reason stated; cp. Plin. HN 20. 7.

*43

AELIAN

d&woavres 1 to Orjpafta drrparov ov, el wiroyev-
aaivro avrov, Kkovovvrai ttjv yaorepa^Kal crpi-
<£ovr<u. Xvirovoi Se Kal rovs iv rats vhpodrjptaK
VTTohvotiivovs re koX vqxopevovs , K ™
hrjKTiKcd TTpooiTi'rrrovuai, <h$ avroxPW a r V s
yrjs at fJLViar Kal Set oofieiv avjas fj^ KoXd&oQai
iodiopuevov aofiovvTt he Ik tt\s doxoXlas diroXwXe
to k'pyov.

45. Aayd)s Se daXdrrcos fipooOels Kal ddvarov
7]veyK€ TToXAaKis, Ttdvrcos Se rrjv yaorepa wSvvt]oev.
rlKrerai Se dpa 2 iv >rrqX& y Kal ovk oXiyaKts rats
d<f>vais ovvaXLaKerar eliq 8* aV /cara tov KoyXlav
tov yv\ivbv to elSos*

46. Tvifj veKpw TToXifjLtos. iadlet yovv ifnreecbv
<bs *X®P ov Ka ' L garret -reOvrjtjopevov. Kal pevroi
Kal rats eTcS^/xot? uTpariais etrovTai yvnes, Kai
tidXa ye puavTtKWS oti 3 is TroXepov x^povvw
elhores, Kal on pidxn rrdaa ipyd^erat veKpovs, /cat
tovto eyvwKOTes, yvira Se dppeva ov <£aox ywe-
a0at 4 TroTe, aAAa O^Xetas dirdoas- oirep emord-
fxeva ra £a)a Kal ipyplav t4kv<x)v SeSiora ^ is
iTTiyovrjv 5 rotavra Spa. dvTiTrpcppoi r<b voto)
ireTOvrar el Se fiy eh) voros, t$ €ypq> /cex^aov
Kal to Trvevpa icrpeov TrXiqpob avras, koI kvovch
rpiwv ircov. Xeyovoi Se veoTTidv pr} vTroirXeKeiv

1 iavrtov imd irevtas a£iwcravr€S.

2 Se apa~] yap.

3 ye fiavrtKcos ort] [i. on ye.

4 ysviadai.

5 Jac : imyovfjv reKVwv.

144

ON ANIMALS, II. 44-46

should taste it, they are assailed by convulsions and
torments in their stomach. And the Wrasses also
molest those who dive and swim in pursuit of fish,
falling upon them in great numbers and biting them,
exactly like flies on land ; so that one must either
beat them off or be tormented by being eaten up.
But while one is busy beating them off, there is no
time to attend to one's work.

45. The Sea-hare when eaten has often been the ^ Sea -
cause even of death ; in any case it causes pains in are
the stomach. It is born in the mud and is not infre-
quently caught along with sprats. In appearance it

is not unlike a snail without its shell.

46. The Vulture is the dead body's enemy. At The Vulture
any rate it swoops upon it as though it were an adver-
sary and devours it, and watches a man who is in

the throes of death. Vultures even follow in the
wake of armies in foreign parts, knowing by prophetic
instinct that they are marching to war and that every
battle provides corpses, as they have discovered.

It is said that no male Vulture is ever born: alUH Vutees
Vultures are female. And the birds knowing this
and fearing to be left childless, take measures to pro-
duce them as follows. They fly against the south
wind. If however the wind is not from the south,
they open their beaks to the east wind, and the in-
rush of air impregnates them, and their period of
gestation lasts for three years. But the Vulture is
said never to make a nest. The Aegypius a however, to ,
which is on the border-line between the vulture and
the eagle, is both male and female, and is black in
Perhaps the Lammergeier.

*45

AELIAN

yvira. tovs alyviriovs, iv fieOoploj yvnoov
ovras Kal aer&v, etvat Kal dppevas Kal ttjv ypoav
TT€<f>VKivai fiiXavas. /cat tovtcov pukv aKovu) /cat
veoTTta? hetKwadai' yvrras Se fxrj (La tIkt€W

7T€7TV(TfXai, V€OTTOVS toStWtV. KOI COS OL7TO

yeveas KaraTTrepol elai, Kal rovro rjKOVcra,

47. 'Iktlvos is apTrayrjv a<f>eiMoraros . oiBe 1
tcov fj,ev i£ dyopds iiiTroXiqBivTOJV KpeaSlwv idv
yivwvrai KpeiTTovs, riprraaav TrpoaTTecrovres , rwv
8e €K rrjs rod Ato? lepovpylas ovk dv TTpoa&ifsawro .

' H cSe opeios apirr) tcov opvLQoov Trpocrreaovaa
tovs 6cj)6aA{jLOvs a^aprrd^ei,.

48. K.6paK€s AiyvTTTLOi, octol rco NetAaj rrapa-
StatTtovrat, 2 rdV TrXeovrwv ra irpCora iotKaow
t/cerat etvaiy Xafieiv ti atrovvres* /cat Xafiovres
fjcev rjcvxa^ovow, arvxtfcravres Be &v rp-ovv
crvjjLTrirovTai, Kal iavrovs KaSlaavres em to Kepas
rfjs vecbs tcov ayotvuyv iaOlovaL re Kal BiarifJivovcrt
ra afjufiara. Aleves Be KopaKes, orav ot avdpoorroi
cf>6pa> Biifiovs vBpevadp,evoi 7rXf]pooaco(n rd dyyela
vSaros, Kal Kara tcov reycbv divres idacoai ra>
dipi to vBcop <f>vXdTT€iv darjTTTOv, ivTavOa is
ocrov fiev avToXs ra pdfJL<f>7] Kareiaw iyKVTTTOVTes,
XpcovTai tw 7TOTW- otov Be VTToXtf^r), ifrrjfovs
KopuLt,ovai Kal tw oro/mrt Kal tols ow£;i, Kal
ifjifidXXovarw is top Kipapuov Kal at fiev €K tov
fidpovs wSovvTat Kal v<f>i£dvovai, to ye firjy vBoop
OXifiofjievov dvarrXei. Kal irlvovaiv ed pAXa ev-

146

1 otSe el Seot.

ON ANIMALS, it 46-48

colour, and I am told that their nests are pointed out.
But I have been informed" that Vultures do not lay
eggs, but that in their birth-pangs they produce
chicks, and that these are feathered from birth I have
also heard.

47. There is no limit to the robberies of the Kite. The Kite
If they can manage pieces of meat on sale in the
market, they pounce upon them and carry them off;

on the other hand they will not touch sacrifices
offered to Zeus. But the Mountain Kite* pounces
upon birds and pecks out their eyes.

48. The Ravens in Egypt which live beside the
Nile at first appear to be begging of the people sailing
on the river, soliciting to be given something. And
if they are given, they stop begging ; but if their
solicitations fail, they fly in a mass and perch on the
sailyards of the ship and proceed to eat the ropes and
to cut the cords.

But the Ravens of Libya, when men through fear ^Li^ya en
of thirst draw water and fill their vessels and place
them on the roof so that the fresh air may keep the
water from putrefying, the Ravens, I say, help
themselves to drink by bending over and inserting
their beaks as far as they will go. And when the
water gets too low they gather pebbles in their
mouth and claws and drop them into the earthen-
ware vessel. Now the pebbles are borne down by
their weight and sink, while the water owing to their
pressure rises. So the Ravens by a most ingenious

« See 1. 35 a.

2 7rppoht,aLTa>VTaL t -hiatpovvrai.

147

AELIAN

fjLTjxdvcos ol KopaKes, elBores <f>vaei rwi aTropprfrq)
Bvo crwfiara \iiav x^pcw fw? BexecrOai.

49. Aeyeo *ApurTOT€\r]$ etSeVat rovs KopaKas
Sia<f>opdv yrjs evBalfJiovos re /cat XvTTpds, Kal ev
fiev rfj 7Tap,<j>6pcp re Kal 7roXv<f>6pw Kara re dyeXas
Kal TrXrjOrj ^epeadai, ev Be rfj dyovcp Kal arepi^rj
Kara Bvo. rovs ye p/rjv veorrovs rovs eKrpa<f>ev-
ras 1 rrj$ eavrcov eKaaros KaXcds <f>vydBas a7ro<f>al-
vovaw virep orov (avrol iavrotsy 2 rpo<frr)v
p,aarevovai y Kal rovs yeivap,evovs a<j>ds fur)
Tp£<j)ovaw?

50. 'Yirovvgavres I6v d^taatv IxOvcov KO)fii6s
Kal BpaKcov Kal ^eAtSa^, ov firjv is Odvarov -q
rpvycbv Be dtxoKrelvei irapaxpf}p>& rep Kevrpq).
Kal Xeyei ye AecovlBrjs 6 BvCdvnos lyQvow <t>vcrea)s
re Kal KptorecDS aVetpov dvOpcorrov aprraaavra €K
BiKrvov rpvyova [&ero Be dpa 6 Bvcrrvx^s iprjrrav
etvat) (f>epovra* emKoXmov epL^aXeiv Kal j&x8tfetv, 5
a>S rt dyaOov evpovra Kal is epbTToXrjV KepBaXeov
eavrcp 6 aprrayiia. rf Be dpa rjXyrjcre me£op,evr},
Kal 7ratet rd) Kevrpo) rretpaoa, 7 Kal e^e\ee T °v
ovarvxovs KAeirrov ra oirAayxvO'- /cat e/cetro 7rapa
rfj rpvyovi veKpos 6 <f>a>p, ivapyfjs eXeyxos &v
ovk elBcos eBpaarev.

51. '0 Kopag, ovk dv avrov e$ roXfxav dOvfiore-
pov elirois rd>v derwv, Sfxoae yap /cat avros rocs

1 €KTpa<f>epTas duo/covert, /eat.

2 <ovrot eavTot$y add. Schn. 3 €KTp4(f>ovaw.

4 (f>€povra <hs etx^v, 5 jSaSt^etv tva XaOr).

148

ON ANIMALS, II. 48-51

contrivance get their drink; they know by some
mysterious instinct that one space will not contain
two bodies.

49. Aristotle asserts [HA 618 b 11] that Ravens TheEayen
know the difference between a prosperous and a
barren country, and in one that produces all things in
plenty they move about in flocks and great numbers,

but in a barren and unfruitful country in pairs. As
to their young ones, when fully grown, every Raven
banishes them from its nest. For that reason they
seek their food <for themselves) and neglect to care
for their parents.

50. Among fishes the Goby, the Weever, and the
Flying Gurnard emit poison when they prick one;
not that they are deadly; whereas the Sting-ray
with its barb kills on the spot. And Leonidas of
Byzantium tells how a man who knew nothing of

fishes and could not distinguish them, stole a Sting- A sting-ray
ray from a fishing-net— the poor fellow must have
taken it for a flounder — , took it and put it in his
bosom and walked off as though he had found some-
thing good, some spoil whose sale would be profitable
to him. But the Sting-ray hurt by the pressure,
struck and pierced him with its sting, causing the
wretched thief's bowels to gush out. And there the
thief lay dead beside the Sting-ray, clear evidence
of what he had done in his ignorance.

51. Of the Raven you might say that it has a spirit g^gj*
no less daring than the eagle, for it even attacks

9 iavrcp «?X€iv.

7 Sietpaca.

149

AELIAN

Cwots xiopet, ov fievrot, rots f$paxvTaTOt,s ) <iAA*
ova) re Kal ravpw' KaQtyral re yap Kara rwv
revovrcov Kal KOirrei avrovs, ttoXXcov Be Kal
(rovs*) 1 6<f>6a\fjLov$ e^eKoxjsev 6 Kopa£. fxdxerat
Be kcu opvidi la-^vpw, to* KaXovfievq) aladXajvc
Kal orav dedarjrai aXajTreKL pLa^ofievou, Tt/xtopetrat*
irpos yap eKeivrjv e^ei nvd <f>iXiav. r\v Be apa
opvidcov TroXvKXayyoraros re /cat 7roXv<j>cov6raros'
fiaOcbv yap Kal dv6pa)7rlvrjv Trpotiqoi <f>a>vrjv.
<j>6eyfj,a Be avrov Trat^ovros fiev aXXo, OTrovBd£,ovTOS
Be erepov el Be V7TOKplvoiro rd €K twv Oewv,
lepov ivravOa Kal fiavriKOV (f>6iyyerai t 'loam Be
Bid rov Oipovs evoxXovfxevot, pvaet yaarpos, Kal
Bed ravra eavrovs vypas rpo<f>f\s dyevarovs
<f>vXdrrovaLV .

52, Aeyet Be s ApiaroreXr)5 rcov ^coo>v rd /xe>
^woTOKa etvai, rd Be (La T r iKTew s ra Be crKojXrjKas'
Kal £aia fiev dvQpamovs yevvav Kal rd Aot7ra ooa
TotvcDv eariv eTrnfioXa, Kal rd KTirtoBTj rcov
evvopcov tovtcov oe ra puev avAov y ppay%ia oe
ovk k'xew, olov BeX<f>iva Kal cfxxXXatvav .

53. Mvaols dyovaiv d^Orj j36e$, Kal Kepdrojv
dfioLpol eiai. Xeyoj Be rrjv dyeXrjv aKepcov 6pao~
Sat 2 ovKert Bid Kpvos, aXXd rwv fiocbv rcbvBe
IBta (f>v(jei, z Kal to fiaprvpiov Trapd ttoBcls'
ylvovrai yap Kal iv TtKvdaLs Kepdrwv 4 ovk dyepa-

1 <tovs> add. E.

2 X4y<o . . . opaadai'] Xeyovrai ... opdv.

3 Reishe : IBta <j>vm$>

150

ON ANIMALS, II. 51-53

animals, and not the smallest either, but asses and
bulls. It settles on their neck and pecks them, and
in many cases it actually gouges out their eyes. And
it fights with that vigorous bird the merlin, and when-
ever it sees it fighting with a fox, it comes to the fox's
rescue, for it is on friendly terms with the animal.

The Raven must really be the most clamorous of its various
birds and have the largest variety of tones, for it can tones
be taught to speak like a human being. For playful
moods it has one voice, for serious moods another, and
if it is delivering answers from the gods, then its voice
assumes a devout and prophetic tone.

Ravens know that in summer they suffer from its diet
looseness of the bowels ; for that reason they are
careful to abstain from moist food.

52. Aristotle tells us [HA 489 b 1] that some ani- J^ a a ™ 3
mals are viviparous, others oviparous, that others amma s
again produce grubs. The viviparous are man and

all other creatures that have hair, and among marine
animals the cetaceans. And of these some have a
blow-hole but no gills, like the dolphin and the
whale.

53. In Moesia * the Oxen draw loads and are horn- Horn] ess
less. And I maintain that it is not due to the cold Moesia
that herds are to be seen without horns, but that it

is due to the peculiar nature of the Oxen. And the
proof is to hand, for even in Scythia there are oxen

a Moesia (Gk. Mvota), bounded on the N by the Danube,
on the S by the Balkan mts, corresponded (roughly speaking)
to the northern half of the modern Yugoslavia and Bulgaria.

Eeiske : Kepdrcnv h> X.

AELIAN

or 01 jSoes". iyo) Be aKovco XeyovTos twos iv avy-
ypa(f>fj Kal fieXlrras HiKvOlBas etvai, iTrateiv re rov
Kpvovs ovBe <=v y Kal fievroi kol TrvrtpaoKew is
M.vgovs KoixL^ovras IlkvOcls ovk oBveiov o<f>t,cnv
aAAa avuvyeves fteAi /cat Krjpia €77t^;cu/>ta. ei oe
ivavrla e H/>o8oYa) Xeyoo, p,!) ftoi d^OeoOa)' 6 yap
ravra 1 eliriov laropiav aTToBeiKvvaBai aAA' ovk
aKoijv qBew €</>aro rjfuv afiacrdviGTOv .

54. Ta)v OaXarrtcov irvvBdvopLai \iovov rov ovea-
pov rfjv rpo(f>rjv dvairXiovaav hrzodUiv , wanep
odv Kal ra ^Xrj^rjrd, a Br) Kal fxapvKaaOai Xeyovaw.

55. *0 yaXeos wBlvet Bva rov arofiaros iv rfj
9aXdrrrj y irdXw re ioBix^rat ra fipifaq, Kal
dvepbeZ rats avrats SBols t.wvra Kal aTraBrj.

56. Mvos rjwap Kal ftdXa €kttXt]ktiku>s re Kal
wapaB6£a>$ ttj$ p,kv aeXtfvrjs av£avop,evrjs Xofiov
iavTw rtva €ttitikt€l 6ar)p,€pat fiixP 1 Bcxopuqvov
etra ad trdXiv vtroXyyet, pueiovpiivov rov purjvos rov
laov Xoyov, 2 ear 3 av is 4 atopta KaroXlcrBrj dvel-
Beov. olkovw Be iv rfj ®7]/3atBi ^aAaf^? TTecrovorjs
irrl rrjs yr}$ opdaBah puvas, Sv to p,ev 7rqX6s
ecr iv en, to oe aapg 17077. eya) oe avros €K ttjs
'IraXiKTjs Necis TroXews iXavvwv is At/cata/>^tav
vodrjv parpdxoos, Kal to p,£v puipos avrcov to vrpos
rfj Ke</>aXfj etprre, Kal Bvo iroBes r\yov avro, to Be

1 Schn : roiavra. 2 Beishe : AojSoV.

3 v7ra<f>avC^ov ear'. 4 els ev.

a The original Greek name of Puteoli.

152

ON ANIMALS, II. 53-56

not destitute of the glory of horns. And I have
learnt from one who records the fact in his history
that there are even Bees in Scythia and that they do geaato
not mind the cold at all. And what is more, the 78
Scythians bring and sell to the Moesians honey,
which is no alien produce but native, and honey-
combs of their own country.

If I contradict Herodotus [5. 10], I hope he will not
be angry with me, for the man who reported these
things vowed that he was presenting the results of
his own enquiry and not merely repeating what he
had heard and what we could not verify.

54. I learn that of saltwater fishes the Parrot fg^f**
Wrasse alone regurgitates its food and eats it after-
wards, as sheep do, which are said to chew the cud.

55. The Shark brings forth its young through its ^f* ark
mouth in the sea and takes them back again and then young
disgorges them by the same channel alive and
unharmed.

56. The liver of the Mouse has the most astound- The Mouse
ing and unexpected habit of growing a lobe day by aadlt3hver
day as the moon waxes, up to the middle of the
month. Then again in proportion as the month
declines, so the lobe gradually dwindles until it loses

its shape and disappears into the body.

And I am told that when it hails in the Thebaid, Asbowarof
mice are to be seen on the earth, and one part of
them is still mud while the other is already flesh.
And I myself on a journey from Naples to
Dicaearchia encountered a shower of frogs, and the of frogs
forepart of them was crawling, supported by two feet,

153

AELIAN

iTteavpero en airXaorov, Kal iwKei €K twos vXys
vypds ovv€OT(OTi.

57. To rwv fioaiv apa irdyxp^rov rjv yivos 1
Kal is yecopytas Kowcovlav Kal is dyojyrjv <j>6prov
8ca<f>6pov. Kal yavXovs 2 ifjurXTjcrat fiovs dyaOos
iariy Kal j3a>[JL0V$ KoafjueL, Kal dydXXet TTavTjyvpeis,
Kal iravQoiviav Trapiyti. Kal amoOavibv 8e /3ovs
yevvaiov rc ^p^/xa Kal a^teVacvov. /xeAtrrat yovv
€K rcov iKelvov X<ei\fsdva>v €K(j)vovraL } £coov faXepyo-
rarov Kal tojv Kapirwv rov dpiarov re Kal yXvKiarov
iv dvdpa>7roLS trapacrK€vd£ov s to fiiXi.

1 yivos Kal avdpwnois £aW AucireAeararov.

2 ReisJce : ydXaKros

*54

ON ANIMALS, II. 56-57

while the other part trailed behind, still formless,
seeming to consist of some moist substance.

57. Oxen are after all the most serviceable crea- g e ge °^ d
tures. At sharing the farmer's labours, at carrying t S 1CeS
loads of various kinds, at filling the milk-pail — at all
these things the Ox is excellent. He graces the
altars, gladdens festivals, and provides a solemn
banquet. And even when dead the Ox is a splendid
creature deserving our praise. At any rate bees are
begotten of his carcase — bees, the most industrious of
creatures, which afford the best and sweetest of fruits
that man has, namely honey.

*55

BOOK III

r

1. Mavpovatcp Be dvBpl 6 Xecav Kal oBov
Kowajvei Kal Trivet rrjs avrrjs Trrjyrjs vBcop. olkovo)
Be on Kal is rds olKias rwv Mavpovalcov ol
Xeovres <f>oiTcb<jw } orav avrots aTTavrnqar} dO^pla
Kal Xtp,6$ avrovs lcr)(vp6$ 7repiXdpr]. Kal idv fxev
Trapfj (Sy 1 dvrjp, dveipyei rov Xeovra Kal dvaareX-
Xei BuLkow dvd Kpdros* idv Be 6 p,ev 07777, fiovrj
Be 7} yvvrj KaraXeKfydiji Xoyots avrov ivrpeirTiKois
lo^ei rod irpocra) Kal pvOpblCei, craxf>povl£ovcra
eavrov Kpareiv Kal fir) <j>Xeyp,aivew vtto rov Xipiov.
iiraiei Be dpa Xeojv <f)a)vr}s Mavpovcrlas, Kal 6
vovs ri]s iiriTrXri^euys rij yvvatKi rijs rrpos to
Orjplov rotoaBe iarlv y <b$ iKetvoc Xeyovac ( av Be
ovk atBfj Xecov cov 6 raiv £<pa)V paaiXevs errl rrjv
ifjurjv KaXvftrjv ld)V } Kal yvvaiKO$ Beopuevos tva rpa-
<f>fj$ 3 Kal Blkyjv dvdpdmov XeXa)/3r}pLevov to acbpua
is -)(eipas yvvaiKeias diropXeTrevs y tva o'Ikto) Kal
eXeco TvxjjS' Sv Berj ; ov 2 Beov is opeiovs opp/rjaat
Btarpifids iiri re eXd<f)OVs Kal fiovfiaXlBas Kal rd
Xonrd oaa Xeovrcov BecTrvov evBo^ov. kvviBlov Be
dOXlov <f>vcr€L 3 aya7ras* Traparpa^rivai? Kal r)
puev eiraBet rot-aura, 6 Be watrep odv irXr^yels rrjv
ifwxqv Kal V7T07rXr]Gdels alBovs ^VXV Kai K< ^ r(J °
ftXerrcov aTTaXXdrreratj rjrrrjSels ra>v BiKatayv. el
Be L7T7TOL Kal Kvves Bid rrjv avvTpo<f>iav aTTeiXovvrajv
1 <d> add. Jac. 2 ov del, Cobet, 3 j>va€i irpoaeoLK&s-

BOOK III

1. A Lion will accompany a Moor on his journey
and will drink water from the same spring. And I
am told that Lions even resort to the houses of
Moors when they fail to find any prey and are over-
taken by the pangs of hunger. And if the master of
the house happens to be there, he keeps the Lion off
and drives him away, pursuing him vigorously. If
however he is out and his wife is left all alone, then
with words that put the Lion to shame she checks his
approach, restrains him, and admonishes him to con-
trol himself and not to allow his hunger to incense
him. The Lion, it seems, understands the Moorish
tongue; and the sense of the rebuke which the
woman administers to the animal is (so they say) as
follows. * Are not you ashamed, you, a Lion, the
king of beasts, to come to my hut and to ask a woman
to feed you, and do you, like some cripple, look to a
woman's hands hoping that thanks to her pity and
compassion you may get what you want ? — You who
should be on your way to mountain haunts in pursuit
of deer and antelopes and all other creatures that
lions may eat without discredit. Whereas, like some
sorry lap-dog, you are content to be fed by another.'
Such are the spells she employs, whereupon the Lion,
as though his heart smote him and he were filled
with shame, quietly and with downcast eyes moves
off, overcome by the justice of her words.

Now if horses and hounds through being reared in

159

AELIAN

avdpdynoyv ovvidai Kal KaraTrrrjaoovat, Kal Mau-
povalovs ovk av OavpLacraifu Xeovroyv ovras
ovvTpo<f>ovs Kal 6{jLOTp6<f>ovs avrols vrr* avrcov
€K€tva)v aKovecdat. rots ydp rot fipe<f>€GL rots
iavrcov fjbaprvpovGLV ore rovs oKvpuvovs rcov
Xeovrwv ryjs tcrrjs re Kal opbolas Stamj? d^touat
Kal koItt}s fitds Kal oreyrjs* Kal eK rovrwv Kal
(fxovqs rijs 7TpoeiprjpLevr]s aKOveiv rovs Orjpas, ovhev
ovre dmarov ovre 7rapdho£ov.

2. "Ittttov he rrjs Aipvoorjs irepi Aifivwv Xeyov-
ro)V &Kova) roiavra. wKiaroi puev eioiv vrrTtayv,
Ka\idrov he 7] 1 ti alorddvovrat 2 <?}> 3 ovhe ev.
Xerrrol he Kal ovk evaapKOL, emrijheiol ye px)v
Kal $epew oXtycoplav heorrorov eluiv. ovre yovv
avrols KOfJL&rjv iTpoo<f>i.povcrw ol heairorai, ov
Karai/fcovTes* ov KaXwhrjOpav epyaadpuevoi, oz>x
orrXds CKKaOatpovres , ov fco/xay Krevi^ovres, ov
Xairas VTroirXeKovres > ov Xovovres Kapb6vras 9 aXXa
ajita re hirjwaav rov f rrpoKeip,evov hpopuov, Kal
arrofiavTes vepueodai laoi. Kal Xeirrol fxev Kal
avxfJ^coSeis ol Atfives, eirl roiovrojv he Kal tmratv
oxovvrat. aofiapol he. MrjSot Kal dfipoC, Kal
puivroi Kal ol eKewaiv 5 lttitol. cjialrjs av avrovs
rpv<f>av avv rots hecrrrorats Kal rep p,eye6ei rod
uwpuaTOS Kal rw KaXXet, 07877 he Kal rfj x^V Ka ^
rfj BepameLa rfj e£a>6ev. G ravrd rot /cat itepi rcov
kwcov erreiai voetv pboi. kvcov Ys.prjuaa Kov<f>7] Kal
aXriKrj Kal dpeifiaviais avvrpo(f>o$' /cat p.ivroi

1 Beiske : 817. 2 Schn : ataBovraL.

3 <ij> add. Beiske. 4 Karaifsaivres Kajiovras.

6 €K€Lv<av roLovroi.

i6q

ON ANIMALS, III. 1-2

their company understand and quail before the
threats of men, I should not be surprised if Moors
too, who are reared and brought up along with Lions,
are understood by these very animals. For the
Moors profess to treat lion-cubs to the same kind of
food, the same bed, and the same roof as their own
children. Consequently there is nothing incredible
or marvellous in Lions understanding human speech
as described above.

% Concerning the Libyan Horse this is what I have The Horses
learnt from accounts given by the Libyans. These of Llbya
Horses are exceedingly swift and know little or noth-
ing of fatigue ; they are slim and not well-fleshed but
are fitted to endure the scanty attention paid to them
by their masters. At any rate the masters devote
no care to them : they neither rub them down nor
roll them nor clean their hooves nor comb their
manes nor plait their forelocks nor wash them when
tired, but as soon as they have completed the journey
they intended they dismount and turn the Horses
loose to graze. Moreover the Libyans themselves
are slim and dirty, like the Horses which they ride.
The Persians on the other hand are proud and deli- of Persia
cate, and what is more, their Horses are like them.
One would say that both horse and master prided
themselves on the size and beauty of their bodies and
even on their finery and outward adornment.

And here is a point which occurs to me to note in Hound^of
connexion with Hounds. The Cretan Hound IS countries
nimble and can leap and is brought up to range the

6 e£cu0€v Kal rfj Bpviftei eot/cacrtv ataOavofitvoLs peyedovs t€ tou
a<f>€repov Kal /caAAous Kal on xAtStDat tw KOGfia).

l6l

VOL. I. G

AELIAN

Kal avrol Kp^re? roiovrovs avrovs TrapahetKvvaac, 1
Kal aoetrj ^rf^rj. dvpnK<hraros oe kvvwv MoAoct-
Gos/iird Ovficobeararot Kal ol dvSpes. dvrjp Se
Kapjuavto? Kal kvcov dpu^orepot dypioyrdroi Kal
fxeiXixdrjvai dreyKrw y 2 <f>acriv.

3. "ISia Se apa $vaews £oW /cat Tai?Ta

& ovre dypiov ovre -fjp,epov iv 'IvSots ylveaOat 3
Aeyet K-nyoxW, Trpofiara Se ra iKelvtov ovpds

4. 0£ p,VplJL?)K€S OL IvStKol <Ot> 4 TOV XP^ "^

<f>vXdrrovre$ ovk dv hiiXdoiev rov KaXovpevov
YLapwrvXwov tcoTapLOv . 'Iacr^Sove? rovrois ovvoi-
kovvt€s 5 rot? fAvptirjgt, . . . 6 KaXovvraC re Kal
elcrw.

5. <Dayo£jcra o<f>ews x € ^ v l KaL e7rtTpayo£>cra
dpiydvov igdvTTjs ylverai rod KaKOV, o irdvrais
avrrjv 7 dveXelv epueXAev.

Hepiarepdv Se dpvLOcov aax^poveardrrjv Kal K€-
KoXao-jxiv7]V is dcf>poBtrr]v pbaXiora aKOva) Xeyov-
rojv ov ydp irore aAA^Acov hiaGTTwvrai, ovre rj
drjXeia, idv p,rj d<j>aipedfj rv^Q rLV " L rov * vvvvop,ov,
ovre 6 dpprjv, idv 8 prj XVP 05 ye'i^rai.

HepdtKes Se aKpdropis elow d^pohtrqs- ovkovv
ra <ha rd yewdi\ieva d<j>aviCovGw , ha p^ aywcrw

2 Schn : aypicoraroL . . . arey/cra.

3 Schn : y€V€u6ai.

4 <ot> add. Jac.

5 avvocKovvres ye.

6 Lacuna.

162

ON ANIMALS, III. 2-5

mountains. Moreover the Cretans show the same
qualities, such is the common report. Among
Hounds the Molossian is the most high-spirited, for
the men also of Molossia are hot-tempered. In
Carniania too both men and Hounds are said to be
most savage and implacable.

3. The following also are examples of the peculiari- indi% ^
ties of animal nature. Ctesias reports that neither pi J
the wild nor the domestic Pig exists in India, and he
says somewhere that Indian Sheep have tails one its sheep
cubit in width.

L The Ants of India which guard the gold will not The Ants of
cross the river Campylinus. And the Issedonians 6 Ihdia
who inhabit the same country as the Ants . . . they
are called, and so they are.

5. If a Tortoise eats part of a snake and thereafter Marjoram,

. , 1 n , -1 antidote to

some marjoram, it becomes immune Irom tne poison snake poison
which was bound to be quite fatal to it.

I have heard people say that the Pigeon is of all'^^ OT »
birds the most temperate and restrained in its sexual nence
relations. For Pigeons never separate, neither the
female bird unless by some mishap she is parted from
her mate, nor the male unless he is widowed.

Partridges on the other hand are unrestrained in The _
their indulgence. For that reason they destroy the iteineonti-
eggs that have been laid, in order that the female nence

Not identified. .

1 The Issedonians appear to have inhabited a region to the
NE of the Caspian Sea.

7 avrrjv £k Tijs Tpo<fyr}s*

163

AELIAN

at OrjXeiai 7raiBorpO(f>ovaat rrjs Trpos avrovs
SfiiXtas aff%oAtW,

6. Avkoi 7Tora^6v Biaveovres, vrrep rov /x-77 Trpos
f$Lav £k rrjs rov pevpuaros ifi^oXijs dvarperreaOat
epfia IBtov avrois rj (f>vcrt$ avp^trXdaaaa iBcBd^aro
aojrrjplav drropoyv /cat p,aAa evrropov. rd$
ovpds ra$ dAA^Acov ivSaKovres, etra avrnrunTOVGi
tco pevfian, Kal dXvTrcos 1 Stevrjgavro koI do*<f>aXa)s.

7. "Ovois drjXelais f3pa>}jL7}<jw r) <f>vats ovk
evevpue, (£aat. Kvvas Be d<j>covov$ ditofyalveiv rats
valvals 2 rj avrrj rrapeayev. 'etWSta Be Kal puvpov
yvi/jiv aZrta Oavdrov. kvkvcov Be Kwveiov oXeQpos*
Kap/qXov Be a>$ BeBowev Ittttos eyvoy Kvpos re /cat
Kpoiaos, <%>s </>aaw.

8. Td fipe<j>r} ra rwv lttttcov orav at fjbrjrepes
KaraXc7TO)(n rrpo rrjs eKelvaw iKOpiiffecos otov
6p<j>avd, €KTpe<f>ov<ji fjuerd r&v oIkgIcov naiBLayv
olKTeipovaai at aAAat aura.

9. KopcDvat dAA^Aats elal mar6rarai y /cat orav
is Kowcovlav vvveXdaxji) nrdw o(f>6Spa dyarrcocn
a<j>as } Kal ovk dv IBol tis puyvvpieva ravra rd
dveBrjv Kal cos krvyev. Xeyovcri Be ot ra vrrep
tovtcov aKpifiovvres on dv 3 drroOdvr} to erepov,
to Aot7rov yripeveL. aKovw Be rovs TrdXai Kal ev
Tot? yapbOLS fiera rov vp,evaiov Tiqv Kopwvrjv

1 aXvTTtos ye MSS, d. re JReiske.

2 ras vaivas orav avrals rrjv cr/aav emftakr).

3 KOV*

164

ON ANIMALS, III. 5-9

birds may not be too busy with nursing their chicks
to have time for sexual intercourse.

6. When Wolves swim across a river Nature has Wolves
devised for them an original safeguard to prevent cross a riTer
them from being forcibly carried away by the impact

of the stream and has taught them how to escape
from difficulties, and that with ease. Fastening their
teeth in one another's tails they then breast the
stream and swim across without harm or danger.

7. It is said that Nature has not bestowed the Autoai anti-
power of braying upon she-Asses. Nature too has pa 65
enabled Hyenas to stop hounds from barking. The
fragrance of perfumes causes death to Vultures;
hemlock is the bane of Swans ; Cyrus and Croesus
learned how Horses dread camels, so the story

goes.

8. When Mares desert their foals and leave them, Mares and
like orphans, before they are fully weaned/ other foal3
Mares take compassion on them and bring them up

with their own foals.

9. Crows are exceedingly faithful to each other, The oow
and when they enter into partnership they love one fidelity 3uS&
another intensely, and you would never see these
creatures indulging freely in promiscuous intercourse.

And those who are accurately informed about them
assert that if one dies, the other remains in widow-
hood. I have heard too that men of old used actually,
at weddings to sing * the Crow ' after the bridal

Cp. Qarm. pop. 31 (BieM, Anth. lyr. Or.) and L-S 9 s.v.

165

AELIAN

aoW, 1 avvB^pua opuovoias rovro rots ovviovaiv
iirl 2 iraihoiroda StSoVras. oi he 3 ehpas dpvCBcov
Kal TTTrjoeis Trapa<f>vXdrrovres ovk evovp,/3oXov 4
OTTvLovaiv 5 etval c/>aaiv vrraKovaat, Kopcovrjs /xia?. 6
irrel Be rj yXav£ iarw avrfj iroXepbiov, Kal vvKrojp
imfiovXevet, rots (Lois tt}s Kopcovrjs, rj Be pbeB*
77/xepav £k€ivt]v ravro Spa rovro, elBvta exew rrjv
oifjw rrjviKavra rrjv yXavKa doBevij.

10. 'E^t^w rov -^paatov ovk dao<f>ov ovS*
dpaBfj ra/xtetas* tt}s is rrjv XP^ av V ^vais iTroCqcrev.
irrel ydp Setrat rpoc/yrjs Bcer^aLov, rd Be cbpata ov
naaa a>pa BlBcoaiv, eavrov ev rats rpaaiats kvXUi?
c^acrc, Kal ra>v laxdBwv rds rrepirrapeLaas 3 at
7roAAat e\xmr\ywvrai 8 rats' aKavBais, r}crv)(7j KOfil^ec
Kal dTTodrjaavptaas <j>vXdrret, Kal e^ei Xafietv gk
rov (fxjoXeov, ore rropluai ovx otov re etjtoOev eanv.

11. "HS17 fievroL 9 Kal rwv ^tpuw rd dypiwrara
rrpos rd ovfjcrai, Svvdpieva elpTjvata kal €VG7TOv8d
ian, rfjs av[x<l>vovs KaKias is rrjv XP^ av ^apaAu-
Bevra. 6 yovv KpOKoBiXos vr\yeral re dpca Kal
Kiypprev, ipm'vnrovow odv at jSSeAAat is avrdv
Kal Xvirovoiv. oirep elBcos larpov Setrat rod
rpox^Xov rrXrip-qs ydp avrwv yevop,evos, irrl rrjv
oxBrpr TTpoeXBoiv Kara rrjs aKrtvos Kexqvev. 6
roiwv rpox^Xos ipufiaXwv ro pdp,<f>os i£dyei rds
7Tpoeipr]p,evas 9 Kaprepet Be axfreXovpLevos d KpoKoBc-

1 KoXetv. 2 em 77/. 3 t€.

4 evotipfioXov els jiavrelav.

*■ Pierson : orrevovow mss and E t who regards xmaKovaat as
corrupt.

166

ON ANIMALS, III. 9-11

song by way of pledging those who came together
for the begetting of children to be of one mind.
While those who observe the quarters from which
birds come and their flight, declare that to hear a
single Crow is an evil omen at a wedding. Since the
Owl is an enemy of the Crow and at night has designs Owl and
upon the Crow's eggs, the Crow by day does the same Grow
to her, knowing that at that time the Owl's sight is
feeble.

10. Nature has made the Hedgehog prudent and The
experienced in providing for its own wants. Thus, e ge ° g
since it needs food to last a whole year, and since
every season does not yield produce, it rolls among
fig-crates (they say), and such dried figs as are pierced

— a great number become fixed upon its prickles — it
quietly removes, and after laying up a store, keeps
them and can draw from its nest when it is impossible
to obtain food out of doors.

11. It is a fact that the fiercest of animals will, ^ o e codile
when the need arises, lay aside their natural savagery rocodlle
and be peaceful and gently disposed towards those

that can be of service to them. For instance, the
Crocodile swims with its jaws open; accordingly
leeches fall into them and cause it pain. Knowing
this it needs the Egyptian Plover as doctor. For and the
when it is infested with leeches, it moves to the bank pf^r ian
and opens its jaws to face the sun. Whereupon the
Egyptian Plover inserts its beak and draws out the
aforesaid creatures, while the Crocodile endures this

Oow : KopwvTj fi(a mss, H. 7 Eeishe : kvXUw.

TrrjywvraL. 9 fJt,4v.

167

AELIAN

Xos Kal drpefiet. Kal 6 fxev e X ei Belirvov rds
fiWXXas, 6 Be avivarai, Kal ro fi-qSh dBiKrjvai rov
rpox^ov Xoy liberal ol p,ia9ov.

12. Ko\oioi>s Be evepyeras vo^ovvi Kal 0eT-
raXol Kal 'IXXvpiol teal A^vtot, /cat Brjfioalas ye
avrois rpo<f>a$ e^fWm, 1 eirel r&v aKplBcov, at
Xvpiaivovrai 2 rovs Kaprtovs ro%s rrpoeLpn] pivots, ra
wa dfavi&voi re ol koXoioI /cat Bia<f>6elpovai ry
eirtyovfjv avrois . fieiovrai Brj Kara ttoXv ra ra>v
aKplBojv vi<f>7}, Kal rots Trpoeiprjfiivois pivei ra
wpata dcrivr}.

13. At yipavoi yLvovrai /xev eV Bpa/qj, rj Be
Xeip.epiwrarov x^P^ * ar ^ Ka \ ^pv^wBiararov

SV OLKOVCO. OVKOVV ^iXoVOl TTjV X™P aV * V f

yeyovaoi, faXovm Be /cat eavrds, Kal vifxovai to
p4v rt rot? -rjOeart rots irarpcpots, ro Bi rt rij
a<f>cov avrwv ucorrjpla. rod fiev yap Oepovs Kara
X<opav fjbdvovoL, ^OivoTrwpov Be 7]Br) {levovvros^ is
Myvrrrov re Kal Atj&V dnalpovai /cat^ Aidiomav,
watrep ovv yrjs rrepioBov elBvtat /cat <f>vaets depcov
Kal cbptov Sta^opa?. Kal X € W& V0 > VP™™ Sidya-
yoforat, TTaAt^ orav vrrevSia dpgyai Kal elpt]vala
rd rov depos, VTroorpefovaiv 077tW. 7Totovvrat^
Be rjyepbovas rrjs rrrrjcrea)s ras ^[Si^ rijs 6Bov
Trerreipapiivas' elev S' dv <hs to eiKos at rrpeofivre-
pat. Kal ovpayeiv Be ras ryXiKavras diTOKpiyov(n*
/xeW Be avrwv at viai rerd X arai. <f>vXdgaoai
Be dvejiov odpov Kal </>lXov u^iat Kal Karomv
peovra, xptfij&ewu °' L 7ro f t ' 77 ^ Ka * «ra>0o wri is^ro
vrpocra), elra pbivroi rplycovov ogvydviov to o X W a
168

ON ANIMALS, III. n-13

service and remains motionless. So the bird gets a
feast of leeches, while the Crocodile is benefited and
reckons the fact that it has not injured it as the bird's
fee.

12. The inhabitants of Thessaly, of Illyria, and of Jhe^
Lemnos regard Jackdaws as benefactors and have an ci Locusts
decreed that they be fed at the public expense, see-
ing that Jackdaws make away with the eggs and
destroy the young of the locusts which ruin the crops

of the aforesaid people. The clouds of locusts are
in fact considerably reduced and the season's produce
of these people remains undamaged.

13. Cranes have their birthplace in Thrace, which Cranes and
is the most wintry and the coldest region that I know migrations
of. Well, they love the country of their birth, but

they love themselves too; so they devote part of
their time to their ancestral haunts and part to
their own preservation. In summer they remain
in their country, but in mid-autumn they leave for
Egypt, Libya, and Ethiopia, appearing to know the
map of the earth, the disposition of the winds, and
the variations of the seasons. And after spend-
ing a winter like spring, when again conditions
are becoming tolerably settled and the sky is calm, .
they return. To lead their flight they appoint those
that have already had experience of the journey ;
these would naturally be the older birds, and they
select others of the same age to bring up the rear,
while the young ones are ranged in their midst.
Having waited for a fair and favouring wind from

1 IfqfyiowTO cwSe at TrdActj. 2 Meishe : iXv^iaivovro.

169

AELIAN

rrjs Trrrjoeais wrrofffrjvajcrai, Iva ifimTrrovaat rip
depi hiaKorrraivw avrov /Sacra, rrjs rropelas
exovrai. ovrco fxev hrj 9epl£ovcri re teat x^^dCovac
yepavoi* ao<f>lav he tfyyvrai avQpwrroi 8avfiaarrjv
rov Uepacov fiaat,Xea>$ is hriarriprqv depa)v
KpdcrecoSj 1 Eoucra Kal 'Efc^Sarava ahovres Kal ra$
hevpo Kal eKeXcre rov Hepaov redpvXrjpuevas fiera-
f}dvei,s. orav he 7rpoa<f>epop,evov derov ac yepavot
Oedcrcovrai, yevofxevai KVKXoae 2 Kal KoXrrcocrdfie'
vat 3 aTreikovaiv <hs dvrtra£6p,evai* 6 he 4 Kpover ai
to trrepov. dXXrjXoiv he rots wvyalois eirepelhovaat
rd pdpL<f>7), etra fievrot rpoirov nvd rrjv TTTrjcrw
avvheovcri, Kal rov KapLarov a<f>cacv evKapuarov
d'rro$>aLvovGi ) ire^eLapLevws dvaTTavofievat e$ aA-
XrjXas at avrai. ev he yfj pbrjKiarr) . . . 5 7rrjyr}s
orav rvxataw, dvartavovrai vvKrcop 6 Kal Ka6ev~
hovai, rpets he rj rerrapes irpo(f>vXdrrovat rwv
XoiTTtov Kal vnep rov pur) Karafcotju-tcrat rrjv <f>vXaK7jv
iardai p,ev aaKa)Xid£ovaai } rep ye pbrjv pLerecLpw
nohl XLQov Karexovcrt rots ow^l pudXa eyKparws re
Kal evXafitbs, Iva edv irore XdOcoavv eavrds es
vttvov V7ToXio6dvovaai } irecrcov Kal V7TOKrv7r^cras 6
XtOos aTTohapBdveiv KaravayKaarj . yepavos he
Xldov ovrrep ovv Karairivei vnep rov exeiv epp^a, 1
Xpvcrov fidaavos eanv > orav otov oppucrafievT) Kal
KaraxOetaa 8 etra puevrot, dvepLearj avrov.

2 Lobech : kvkXos.

8 Ko\<7T<tioau,€voi uwoetSes to piiaov aTro^iJraoat.

4 o 06 avax<ap€L /cat.

5 Lacuna,

6 vdicroip at Aowrat.

170

ON ANIMALS, HI. 13

behind, and using it as an escort to speed them for-
ward, they then form their order of flight into an
acute-angled triangle, in order that as they encounter
the air they may cleave it with the least difficulty,
and so hold on their way. This then is how Cranes
spend their summer and winter. (Rut mankind
regards as marvellous the Persian king's compre-
hension of temperature, and harps on Susa and
Ecbatana a and the repeated stories of the Persian's
jpurneyings to and fro.) When however the Cranes
observe an eagle bearing down upon them, they form
a circle and in a bellying mass threaten him with
attack ; and he retires. Resting their bills upon
each other's tail-feathers they form in a sense a con-
tinuous chain of flight, and sweeten their labour h
as they repose gently one upon another. And in
some distant land . . . when they light upon some
water-spring they rest for the night and sleep, while
three or four mount guard for all the others ; and in
order to avoid falling asleep during their watch they
stand on one leg, but with the other held up they
clutch a stone firmly and securely in their claws.
Their object is that, if they should inadvertently drop
off to sleep, the stone should fall and wake them
with the sound.

Now the stone which a Crane swallows to give itself
ballast is a touchstone for gold when regurgitated by
the Crane after it has, so to say, come to anchor and
reached land.

3 Identified with the modern Hamadan ; it lay at the foot
of mt Orbntes, some 200 miles N of Susa, and was a summer
residence of the Achaemenid kings.

6 Eur. Bacc. 66 Kafxarov evKafxarov.

KaraxOdaa ev8a ^ffcet.

171

AELIAN

14. KvfiepvrjTrjs lB<hv eV rreXdyei (xiaco yepdvovs
vrroorp€(f>ovcras Kal rrjv eyimaXiv Trerofxevas, owet-
$ev ivavriov TTpoa^oXfj TTvevfiaros eVce/ras aTroorrj-
rat rov <np6aco* Kal rcov opviojv ojs av ewrot?
fxadrjTrjs yevofievos 7raXifX7rXovs yX8e, Kal rrjv
vavv 7T€pi4oa)G€. /cat rovro 7Tpcorov yevofievov
fjiddrjfxd re Sfiov Kal TraiSevfxa (vrroy 1 rwvSe
^rcovy 2 opvtdcov rots dv8pd)7TOis 7Tape866rj .

15. YLepiarepal iv pbkv rats TtoXeai rots dv6 } pd>~
rrois ovvayeXdCovrai, /cat etat rrpaorarac, Kal
elXovvrai Ttepl rots ttooiv, iv Se rots iptffiois
X<opiois cwroStSpaoTcoucrt, /cat rovs dv9pd>7rovs ov%
V7rofj,£vovcrt. dappovcri fxev yap rots TrXrjBeoiy Kal
on firjSev rreloovr ai Si/cr^epes tcaat KaXXiara.
oirov Se opvidodfjpai, Kal SUrva Kal imftovXal
kot avrcov, drpeora oIkovoiv ov/cert, Xva €vna> to
eV avrcov €K€WOiv X&ydkv l&VplTTlSr}.

16. "Orav fieXXaxxt TripSiKts vrpos to tiktzw
etrat, TrapacrKevd£ovarw iavrots €K nvcov Kap<f>6bv
rrjv KaXovpi€V7]v aXco. TrXdyfia Se eWt kolXov Kal
iyKaOlaai fidXa imrtfSeiov. Kal kqviv iyxdavres,
Kal fiaXaK'qv nva olovel Kovrqv ipyao*dp,€VOi 9 /cat
h>§vvT€s, etra iirqXvydoavres iavrois dva)0ev
Kdp<j>eatv vrrip rov Kal rovs opviBas XaBetv rovs
dprraKriKovs Kal rcov dvBpojTrcov rovs Brjpeurds 3
Kara rroXXrjv rrjv elprjvrjv diroriKrovcnv^' etra rd
cbd ov Tnor&oovoi rfj x^P a r fj a ^ r fj> i^dpa,

1 <vtto> add. H. 2 <twv> add. Reiske.

- 3 Beiske : KaraKkivovoiv.

172

ON ANIMALS, III. 14-16

14. If a pilot observes on the high seas a flock of Cranes give

, , i • -i warning of

Cranes turning and flying back, he realises that they storms
have refrained from advancing further owing to the
assault of a contrary wind. And taught, as you
might say, by the birds he sails home again and
preserves his vessel. So the pilot's art, being a
lesson and a discipline first acquired by these birds,
has been handed on to mankind.

15. In cities Pigeons congregate with human The Pigeon
beings ; they are extremely tame and swarm about

one's feet ; but in lonely places they flee away and
cannot endure human beings. For it is crowds that
give them courage, and they are well aware that they
will be unmolested. Where however there are bird-
catchers, nets, and schemes to take them, ' they
dwell ' no more ' without fear/ to quote what
Euripides says [Ion 1198] of those same birds.

16. When Partridges are about to lay they make g£. rMge
themselves what is called a ' threshing-floor * (i.e. and its nest
nest) out of dry twigs. It is plaited, hollow, and well-
suited for sitting in. They pour in dust and con-
struct as it were a soft bed; they enter and after
screening themselves over with dry twigs so as to

avoid being seen by birds of prey and by human
hunters, they lay their eggs in complete tranquillity.
Next, they do not entrust their eggs to the same place
but to some other, emigrating a as it were, because
« Cp. Arist. HA 613 b 15.

173

AELIAN

OLOV€t fJL€TOLKt,£6{jL€VOL lf $€$olf«XGL yap 2 [LT\ 7TOT€

apa <j)copa$cdotv. veorrevovres Be 3 rovs veorrovs
ovras drraXovs vttoOoXttovul Kal rots eavrcov
TrrepoZs aXealvovaiVy olovel airapydvois rots tttlXols
TreptafiTrexovres' ov Xovovoc Be avrovs, dXXd
Kovlovres ipyd^ovrai cj>aiBporepovs . idv Be rrepBit;
ZBrj nvd rrpouiovra Kal irri/SovXevovra Kal avrco
Kal rots ppecfceaw, ivravOa avros p,ev iavrov Trpo
rcov ttoBcov KvXiei rcov rod Oiqparov Kal evBiScocriv
iXmBa rov BvvaaQav ovXXafietv elXovpuevov, Kal 6
p,ev irnKvirrei is Trjv dypav, 6 Be igeXlrrec
iavrov Kal BtaBtBpdcrKei Kal yiver at irpo 6Bov
<ra j8pe<£7?>. 4 oirep oftv ovwotfoas 6 7repSt£,
Bappcoy TjBr] rrjs doxoXtas rrjs fiaraias diraXXdrrei
rov opvidodrfpav avairrds, Kal id 5 rov dvBpa
K€x?}v6ra. etra iv dBetq. rj fj/qrrjp yevofxevrj Kal
iv KaXw orrdoa ra /3pe<f>y] KaXet. ol Be avrfj
TTpooirerovrai yvcoploavres ro c\>cov*q\ia. nepBit; Be
cbBtva diToXvew [leXAcov rretpdrai XaOelv rov ovv-
vopLOVy tva yurj rd cod ovvrptipr}' Xdyvos yap cov
ovk id rij 7raiBorpo<f>ta oxoXd^etv rrjv pjqrepa.
ovrco Be ionv aKoXaarov ro rcov rrepBiKcov yevos.
orav avrovs aTroXiTTovoai etra iucpd^cooLv at
BiqXeLai, ol Be €7rCr7]Bes is opyfjv dXXi]Xovs i£d-
irrovui, Kal TraiovGL re Kal rraiovrai iriKporara'
Kal 6 ye wrrinOels oveverai [cbs opvcs], 6 Kal Bod
rovro aveor\v <o Kparrjoas}/ ear av v<p erepov
Kal avros rjrrrjdels etra is rds ofxolas Xafids
ipLTrearj.

1 fi€Tot,Ki£6fxevoi ifcetvd re hrdyovrai,

2 yap ev ravr<p hiarpLfiovres.

3 Be ev ^eopots erepots wnaipovris re ad.

174

ON ANIMALS, III. 16

they are afraid that they may perhaps be detected.
And when they hatch their young they impart heat to
them, being callow, and warm them with their wings,
enveloping them in their feathers, as it might be
swaddling-clothes. They do not however wash them,
but render them more sleek by putting dust on them.

If a Partridge sees someone approaching with evil an<nts
intent against itself and its young, it thereupon rolls
about in front of the hunter's feet and fills him with
the hope of seizing it as it moves this way and that.
And the man bends down to catch his prey, but it
eludes him. Meantime the young ones slip away and
get some distance ahead. So when the Partridge is
aware of this, it takes courage and releases the bird-
catcher from his fruitless occupation by flying off,
leaving the man gaping. Then when the mother-
bird is secure and advantageously placed, she calls
her chicks, and they recognising her voice flutter
towards her.

The Partridge when about to lay her eggs en- The male
deavours to hide from her mate for fear that he may
crush them, because he is lustful and tries to prevent
the mother from devoting her time to rearing her
young. So incontinent a creature is the Partridge.
When the females leave the males and brood their
eggs, the male birds of set purpose provoke one
another to anger and deal and receive the most
violent blows ; and the vanquished bird gets trodden,
the victor performing unsparingly, until he in his turn
is vanquished and is caught in like clutches.

* <t<x Bp£<fri> add.H.^

5 teal ea] teal rovs veorrovs KaraAafi&v Kal ideas.

6 [<as Spvcs] ' verba sus^cta," H.

7 <d Kparqoasy odd. Jac.

' ns

AELIAN

17. Aiyei jtiev odv l&vpiTrlBiqs Bvcrcowpbov tov 1
ovov oStos Be apa ivoiKet Kal tqjv £a>a)v eoriv

ots. 6 yovv yaXewTTjs, a>s </>7]<ji @eo<f>paaTOs, orav
aTroBvarjTai to yy\pas 3 iiriOTpa^els etra fievToi
KaraTTtwv d<j>avl^ei avro' BoKet Be iTrtXtftpecos
elvai to yrjpas to TovBe tov £<Lov dvrwraAov.
olBe Be Kal eXa<f>os to Sector Kepas e^ojv is ttoXXol
dyaOov, Kal \ievToi <7au> 2 KaTopvTTei re clvto Kal
ovnoKpvTTTei <f>96va> tov toctovtcov 3 Tiva diroXavaat,
Ivyyas Be epcoTiKas tw 'ttcoXko avvTiKTOvaa lttttos
oiBe* TavTa tol Kal ajtta tco Tevdrjvai to &pi<bos
rj oe to em Tip pb€TOJ7Tq) oapKiov aireTpayev,
V7TTr6\iav€s avdpomoi KaXovaw avTo. Kal oi yorjTes
t<x ToiavTa $avw 6pp,ds Ttvas £Xktiko\s is [il^w
afcaracr^eTOV Kal oloTpov d<f>poBlcriov Trapexew Kal
i^diTTew* ovkovv TTjv Xttttov iQiXeiv dvSpcoTTOVS
lieTaXayxdvew tov yor}T€vp,aTos TovBe, cbarrep odv
dyadov pLeyLorov <f>0ovovaav. ov yap;

18. 'Ei> Tfj 'J&pvdpa QaXaTTTj 4 IxOvv AeojviByjs
6 Bvf dvTios ylveuOal 5 </>y}GL, Ktofitov tov TeXelov
p,eiova ovBe ev* eyew Be ovfe 6 6<f>9aXfxovs avTov
ovre aTOfia iv vopLcp t<o twv lx9va)v. Trpouiri-
<f>VK€ Be ol Ppdyx^ Kal o^qpLa Ke^aXrjs, cos
et/caaat, ov firjv iKfjb€fi6p(/)OJTai elBos* kotco Be
apa vtto Tjj yavTpl avT<p ivTe9Xaarai tvttos
koXtto)Bv]s ^jcrvx^j> Ka l iKirepmei crfiapdyBov %p6av.
tovtov odv elvat, Kal 6<f>9aXfMov ot <f>7]cri Kal arojLta.

1 ovra tov.

2 <*m'> add. E.

3 Joe : rocrovTov.

* Baharvft Ko\ir<p Se t# 'Apaftta>.

176

ON ANIMALS, III. 17-18

17. Euripides says [Jr. 403 N] that jealousy is an feajw
accursed thing. It seems that there are certain

animals

animals in which this quality resides. For instance,
the Gecko, according to Theophrastus [Jr. 175], when
it has sloughed its skin, turns and makes away with
it by swallowing it. It seems that the slough of this
creature is a remedy for epilepsy. And the Deer
too, knowing that its right horn serves many pur-
poses, goes so far as to bury it and secrete it out of
jealousy lest anyone should benefit thereby. The
Mare also knows that with the birth of a foal she is
producing love-spells ; and that is why the moment
the foal is born, the Mare bites off the piece of flesh
on its forehead. Men call it ' mare ^-frenzy.' And
wizards maintain that such things produce and excite
impulses to unrestrained sexual intercourse and a
lecherous passion. So the Mare does not wish men
to have any of this spell, as though she grudged them
a boon beyond compare. And is it not so ?

18. Leonidas of Byzantium asserts that there The^
occurs in the Bed Sea a fish & of exactly the same ^
size as a full-grown goby : it has neither eyes nor
mouth after the manner of fishes, but grows gills and

a kind of head, so far as one can guess, though its
form is not perfectly developed. But lower down
beneath its stomach is a slightly indented depression
which emits the colour of an emerald ; and this, they
say, is both its eye and its mouth. But anyone who

« See 14. 18.

6 Probably the Tetrodon or Globe-fish.

6 Schn : yeveo&ai*

177

AELIAN

oar is Be avrov yeverai^ crvv rq> KaKw rep eavrov
eOrfpaaev avrov, Kai tt}s Bia(j)9opas 6 rponos, 6
yevodp,evo$ SBycrev, etra rj yaurrjp Kareppa^e, Kai
6 avdpcoTTos diroXcoXe. BIBcoat, Be Kai avros dXovs
Stfcay. 7rpwrov puev e£a> rov Kvpuaros yevofxevos
otoatvei, Kai ei ris avrov ysavcretev, o be en Kai
fiaXXov rtlpmparai. Kai el ris hm,p,elveie ifjaXdr-
rojv, yLverai rr&s vtto crtfiffeojs Biavyeararos, <hs
vBepicbv etra reXevrwv Bieppdyrj. el Be avrov
eOeXoi n$ ere £a>vra is rrjv dakarrav pLeSetvai, 6
Be imvrjx €Tai ^ K7 ] v xvcrrews dpOeiarjs Trvevfiari.
Kai <f>iqatv on eK rov wdOovs <j>voaXov eKaXovv
avrov,

19. <$>d)Kir} Be, cos 1 aKova), rrjv river lav rrjv
eavrrj? e^cjuet, 3 tva p/rj rois eTTiXrjrrroLs rj IdaOaL.
fidcrxavov Br) ro £cpov r) (f>a)K7] } vat fid rov*

20. 01 7TeXeKdv€S <ot> 4 ev rocs rrorapioTs frets')
Koy%as rrepi)(aivovres etra KararrlvovGW } evBov
Be Kai ev (rcpy 5 (av^w rfjs yaarpos vrrodaX-
tftavres dvefxovai, Kai rd p,ev oorpaKia €K Trjs
dXea$ BtecFrrjy a>a?rep ovv (ra) 6 t<Sv e<f>9wv, oi Be
e^opvrrovai rd Kpea, Kai exovai BeZuvov. Kai
fxevroi Kai ol Xdpoi, <hs QvBrjfxos ^rjcri, rovs
KoxXlas fxerewpiCovres Kai viftov alpovres rats
rrerpais fiiaiorara TTpoaapdrrovacv.

21. Aeyei EvSt^os 1 , ev Uayyaiq) rtp QpaKta)
Kolrrj Xeovros epYjp,cp <f>vXaK7}s imaraoav dpKrov

x yeucrerat. 2 ^avaot. 5 Ge$ : e/cpo^et.

178

ON ANIMALS, III. 18-21

eats it has fished to his own undoing. And this is
how he is destroyed: the man who has eaten it
swells up ; then his stomach bursts and he dies. But
the fish itself when caught pays for it, for first, when
it is out of the water, it swells, and if one touches it,
it swells even more ; while if one continues to handle
it, it turns to corruption and becomes quite trans-
lucent, like a man with dropsy, and finally bursts. If
however one is prepared to return it still alive to the
sea, it swims on the surface like an inflated bladder.
Leonidas says that in consequence of this property
men call it the ' inflater/

19. The Seal, I am told, vomits up the curdled milk ™e Seal
from its stomach so that epileptics may not be cured
thereby. Upon my word the Seal is indeed a
malignant creature.

20. Pelicans that live in rivers take in mussels and ?he Pelican
then swallow them, and when they have warmed

them deep within the recesses of their belly, they
disgorge them. Now the mussels open under the
influence of the heat, just like the shells of things
when cooked, and the Pelicans scoop out the flesh
and make a meal. So too Sea-mews, as Eudemus
observes, lift snails into the air and carry them high
up and then dash them violently upon the rocks.

21. Eudemus records how on mount Pangaeus in £ w f^ d
Thrace a Bear came upon a Lion's lair which was

4 <oi> . . . <ras> add. H, cp. Axist. HA 614 b 27.
» <w> add. H.
6 <ra> add. H.

179

AELIAN

(rods') 1 OKvyuvovs rod Xeovros Biatf>9eipai Bid ro
fxiKpovs re elvai en /cat dfivval <x<f>iaw dBvvdrovs*
€7T€i Be df^iKovro 2 €K rtvos dypas o re Trarrjp Kal
rj firjrrjp, Kal etBov rovs rratBas ev rats thovaiS)
ota ettcos -rjXyovv, Kal enl rrjv dpKrov tevro' rj Be
Betoaoa els ri BevBpov fj ttoBcov eiyev dveOei, /cat
KaOrjcrro rrjv eTripovXrjv rrjv ig eKeivcov eKKXtvai
rreipcopievr] . cos Be eBoKovv rod Tifiajpijoaodcu rov
Xvpiecova rfKeiv Bevpo, evravBa rj fiev Xeaiva ov
Xelirei rrjv <f>vXaKrjv, aAA' vtto rep irpepivcp KaOfjcrro
eXXoxtoaa /cat v<f>aipLov dvco /JAeVoucra, 6 Be Xecov,
ota dBrjpLOVCov /cat dXvcov vtto rov a)(ovs? ev rots
opeoiv rjXdro, Kal dvBpl vXovpyco Trepirvy^avei' 6
Be eBeiae Kal dchirjtn rov rreXeKW, ro Be Brjplov 6
Xecov eoaive re Kal eavrov dvareivas rjOTrdCero,
cos otos re fyj Kal rfj yXcorry ro rrpootoirov
icbaiBpvvev avrw. Kal eKeivos VTreBdppiqoev } 6 re
Xecov TrepifiaXtov ol rr\v ovpdv ryyev avrov, Kal
d<f>evra 4 rov rreXeKW ovk eta, dAAd eorjfiatve rep
noBl dveXeoOai. cos Be ov owlet , 6 Be rep aropuari
eXdpero, Kal cope^ev ol } Kal elirero eKeZvos, dyet
re avrov errl ro avXiov. Kal rj Xeaiva <a>s> 5 etBe,
Kal avrrj rrpoaeXdovoa VTreoaive^ Kal ecopa
oiKrpov, Kal dvefiXerre irpos rrjv dpKrov. trvviBibv
odv 6 dvdpcoiros Kal ovfifiaXcbv rjBiKrjorOaC n rov-
rovs e£ eKelvins, cbs etye ptbtim re Kal veipcov,
e^eKoipe ro oevopov. /cat ro puev averpa7rrj ) rj be
Karrjvexdrj- Kal Bieorrdoavro ye 1 ol dijpes avrtfv*

1 <tous> add. H. 2 a^cero.

3 axovs o)s avdp<oiro$ etra*

4 d(j)L€vra.

6 <c6y> add. H.

180

ON ANIMALS, III. 21

unguarded and slew the Lion's cubs, they being small
and unable to protect themselves. But when the
father and mother returned from hunting somewhere
and saw their young ones slaughtered, they were
naturally filled with grief, and set upon the Bear.
She in terror ran up a tree as fast as her legs could
carry her and sat there trying to escape their fell de-
sign. But as they came there with the intention of
wreaking vengeance upon the murderer, the Lioness
did not relax her watch but sat down beneath the
tree-trunk, lying in wait and gazing upward with a
look that meant blood. Meantime the Lion in
anguish and distraught with grief roamed the moun-
tains and came upon a woodcutter. The man was
terrified and dropped his axe, but the animal fawned
upon him and reaching upwards greeted him as well
as it could, stroking his face with its tongue. And the
man took courage, while the Lion, wrapping its tail
around him, led him on and would not permit him to
leave the axe but signified with its paw that he was
to pick it up. But since the man failed to under-
stand, the Lion took it in its mouth and offered it to
him ; the man followed and the Lion led him to the
lair. As soon as the Lioness saw him she too came
up and began to fawn upon him with a piteous
expression as she looked up at the Bear. So the man
grasped their meaning and guessing that they had
been somehow injured by the Bear, began to fell the
tree with all the strength of his hands. And the tree
was overturned and the Bear brought down and the
Lions tore her to pieces. As for the man, the Lion

« Beiske: iTrtorjiiawev MSS, vTrecrrjve Jac.

l8l

AELIAN

rov Si 1 dvOpamov 6 Xecov drraOrj re Kal dacvrj
7rdXiv irravr^yayev is rov -^chpov, od rrporepov
ivdrvxev avrcp, Kal direSaiKe rfj i£ dp%fjs vXoropLta,

22. PdyvirrLcov p-dx*} Orjplwv d&irlSos kol vxyev-
fiovos. 2 Kal 6 fjuev Ixvevjicov ovk dfiovXais ovSi
eKrrXrjKrcos irrl rov dywva d<j>iKveirai rov irpos rov
dvriTraXov, dAA' d>s dvrjp TravoTrXia <f>pa£dp,evos s
ovtods £k€wo$ rw 7T7]X(p iyKvXlvas 3 iavrov Kal
avairXiqcras rov rrepirrayevros eotKev eyeiv dpKOvv
7rp6f3X-r}[j,a Kal crreyavov. el Si dnopla et-q rrrjXov,
Xovaas iavrov vSan Kal is dpup.ov fiadetav vypov
en ipfiaXwv, ifc rijaSe rfjs iirivolas to dfjuvvrrfpcov
i£ drtopoyv arrdaas, iirl rrjV p>dyr\v ep^erai. rfjs
re pLvos to aKpov diraXov oV Kal 4 iy^picrei rfj rijs
ogttISos rpoTvov rwd eKKeifxevov <j>povpei rrjv
ovpdv 5 dvaKXdaas Kal d7ro<f>pdi;a$ oV avrijs avro, G
feat eav jxiv rj dams' rovrov Tvyr\> T ° v dvrayoovt-
orrjv KadecXev el Si fjurj, iidriqv rovs oSovras r<x>
7TrjXq> Troveirai, rrdXw re 6 Ixyevfiwv rrpocrepTrvoas
dBoK'jrws Kal rov rpaxqXov XafiopLevos d-nirrvi^e
rrjv damSa. vt/ca Si 6 vrpcoros <f>0daas.

23. Tpd(f)€iv p,iv rovs irarepas ireXapyol yeyrjpa-
Koras Kal iOeXovcri Kal ifjLeXdrrj&av KeXevei Si
avrovs vofMos dvOpcomKOs ovSi els rovro, dXXd
atria rovrcov <£vat?. 7 ol avrol Si Kal rd iavrwv
eKyova <j>iXovoi- Kal to 8 p,aprvpiov } orav 6

1 T€.

^ 2 The sentence is incomplete : >a^<y> , , . ivvevaovos <a£on
dxovaaiy- 6 fiev t., ex. gr. H r
3 Schn : KvXiaas,

18?

ON ANIMALS, III. 21-23

brought him back untouched and unscathed to the
spot where it first met him and restored him to his
original task of cutting wood.

22. A battle between two animals of Egypt, the
Asp and the Ichneumon. ... The Ichneumon does
not attack his adversary without delfteration or
rashly, but like a man fortifying himself with all his
weapons, rolls in the mud and covers Irimself with a
hard coating, thereby obtaining, it seems, an ade-
quate and impenetrable defence. But if he is at a
loss for mud, he washes himself in water and plunges
still wet into deep sand— a device which secures his
protection in difficult circumstances— and goes tortn
to battle. But the tip of his nose, which is sensitive
and somewhat exposed to the bite of the Asp , lie pro-
tects by bending back his tail, thereby blocking the
approach to it. If however the Asp can reach it, the
snake kills its adversary ; otherwise it plies its fangs
against the mud in vain, while the Ichneumon on the
other hand makes a sudden dash, seizes the Asp by
the neck, and strangles it. And the victory goes to
the one that gets in first.

23 When their parents have grown old, Storks tend The stork
them voluntarily and with studied care ; yet there is
no law of man that bids them do so ; the cause ol
their actions is Nature. And the same birds love their
offspring too. Here is the proof: when the lull-

dwAoV ov Kdt del. H.
ovpav vnoKaiirlias jaaAAov Kai.
avro ovro)5 yap Tzoieti' eta>0«\
<j>fois ayad^. 8 rovrov.

183

AELIAN

reXetos ivBerjs fj rpo(f>fjs airrijcrtv en /cat a,7raAois
rols veorrots iv rfj /caAta TrapadeZvai, yevofievrjs
avr<p Kara riyr\v divoplas, 6 Be rrjv iavrov
xOl^v dvejxeuas eKewovs rpe<f>et. /cat rovs ipw

BiOVS &K0VO) TTOielv TCLVTOV, /Cat TOVS TTeXeKavaS

\ievroi, TrpocraKovco Be rovs treXapyovs /cat avrovs 1
crvfi(f>evyeiv rat? yepdvots /cat avva-noBiBpacrKeiv
rov xf^va- rrjs Spas Be rrjs fcpvpucoBovs BteXOov-
orjs, orav viroar pe 'tftcoariv 2 is rd t'Sta /cat ot§€ /cat
ape, rr)v eavrwv eKagros /caAtav dvayvcoptCovcnv,
cos rr)v oIkLov avBpamoi. 'AAegavBpos Be 6
MvvSlos (f>7](nv, z orav is yrjpas d<f>Ucovrai, rrapeX-
Sovras 4 avrovs is 5 ray '^/ceavtrtSas vrjvovs
ap,elfieiv rd e'iBrj is dvQpdcmov pLop<j>rjv, /cat
evvefieias ye rrjs is rovs yeivapevovs dBXov rovro
ivxew, cV&tos re 3 <>t rt> 6 iych voto y /cat VTrodeaOai
rcov Oecov fiovAopuevcov rovro yovv rcov dvdpcoirtov
rcov ii<el9i ro^ yevos evoefies /cat oatov, i^el
(ovxy^ otov re rjv iv rfj dXXrj rfj vft r)Xlcp 8 rocovrov
Biafitovv. /cat ov fioi BoKeX fxvOos etval. r) rl /cat
fiovAofxevos 6 'AXegavBpos rovro dv ireparevcraro
KepBalviov firjBe ev ; dXXcos re ovS' av ervperrev
dvBpl avvercp ^po rrjs dXrjOetas rroirjaaadac rd
fevBos^ovBe em KepBec rco pLeyivrtp, firj ri yovv
is Xafids^ ifirreorovfieva) rds vrrep rwv roiovrcov
aKepBecrrdras*

^ 24. *H ^eAtSa^ ore 9 evrropolr] trqXov, rots
ovv^i^ <f>epet /cat cw pirrXdr fei rr)v KaXtdv el Be
drropla eir) y cos } ApiaroreXiqs Xeyet, iavrov ppexet,

1 aVTOt$ t 3 V7TOGTp€<f>a)GLVi

I84

ON ANIMALS, III. 23-24

grown bird is in want of food to give to its still un
fledged and tender chicks, some accident having
occasioned a shortage, the Stork disgorges its food of
yesterday and feeds its young. And I am told that
Herons do the same, and Pelicans also.

I learn further that Storks migrate along with its migra-
Cranes and all together avoid the winter. But when
the season of frost is over and both Storks and Cranes
return to their own homes, each kind recognises its
own nests, as men do their own houses.

Alexander of Myndus asserts that when they reach g^ ormed
old age they pass to the islands of Ocean and are human
transformed into human shape, and that this is a re- bein s
ward for their filial piety towards their parents, since,
if I am not mistaken, the gods especially desire to
hold up there if nowhere else a human model of piety
and uprightness, for in no other country under the
sun could such a race continue to exist. This is in
my opinion no fairy-tale, otherwise what was Alexan-
der s design in relating such marvels when he had
nothing to gain from it ? Anyhow it would have ill
become an intelligent man to sacrifice truth to false-
hood, be the gain never so great, still less if he was
going to fall into an opponent's grasp, from which
act nothing whatsoever was to be gained.

24. Whenever there is plenty of mud the Swallow SggjSJT
brings it in her claws and builds her nest. If how-
ever mud is lacking, as Aristotle says [HA 612 b 23],

3 ^fftv, rwv ircXapytov tovs apa pu&aavras.

4 ireaieXBovras. 5 cos.

6 id rt> add. H. 7 <ov X > add- Oes.

8 Jac: v<jyqM(o. 6 Qes : orav.

185

AELIAN

Kal is kovw ip/neaovoa 1 <f>vpei ra iTrrepd, Kal rod
7T7jXov TrepimyivTOS , ivrevOev VTraTroifjrjxovcra rco
pdp,<j>ei rrjv 7TpoK€t[jL€vr)v oiKoBopbtav xeipovpyei.
cwraAa re ovra ra veorria Kal rwv tttlXcqv yvpuva
olBe kciXqjs irrl ipiXcov Kap<f>a>v el dvanavoiro on
KoXaoOrjcrerai aXyovvra. ovkovv irrl ra va>ra rcov
irpoftdrcov l£dveL, Kal dirooira rov puaXAov, Kal
ivrevdev rots iavrfjs fipe<f>ecn to Ae^os* fxaXaKov
earpcoaev,

25. AiKaiovs rj p^^rjp 17 xeAt8d>j> tovs iavrfjs
veorrovs ipyd£erai, ro luori\iov avrois Bca, rfjs
rpo<j>fjs rfjs to-qs <f>vXdrrovoa' pbtav Be apa ov
Kop,i£ei TTaoiv, irrel fxrjBe Bvvarai' aXXd fUKpa
puev Kal oXlya iorlv oaa ayei s rov rrpcorov Be
reyQevra irpcorov rpe<f>ei, Bevrepov Be rov irr*
iKeivcp, Kal rplrov oirit.ei rov rfjs rptrrjs (LBtvos,
Kal liixP 1 T °v / ^if J '' 7TT0V rrpoeiai rov rpoirov rovrov*
ovre yap Kvet ^AtScuv irXeiovas ovre riKret.
avTT) Be rocrovrov Karavira rrjs rpoc^fjs, ooov av
iv rfj AcaAta KepBdvai BvvrjOfj rrapappevuav avrfj.
fipaBecos Be eKfSXeTrei ra 2 ravrrjs Ppify, cos Kal
ra, rcov kvvcov aKvXaKta' rcoav Be Kopbt^ei Kal
jrpoadyei, ra Be vrravafiXeTrei, etra arpepi'qcravra
oXtyov iKTrerrjaLpua ovra 7Tp6etot rfjs KaXcds irrl
rrjv vop/ffV? ravrrjs rfjs rroas avdpcoiroi yeveoBai
iyKparels Biiffcocri, Kal ovBerrco 4 rfjs cmovBfjs
Karervxov.

26. Ot eTroires elaw opv'Scov dm\veoraroi y Kal
p,oi Bokovol rcov itporepcov rcov dvOpcomKcov iv

1 e/z7reorouaa after mepd.

x§6

ON ANIMALS, III. 24-26

she souses herself in water and plunging into dust
befouls her feathers. Then when the mud has stuck
to her all over, she scrapes it off by degrees with her
beak and constructs her proposed dwelling. And as
her young are tender and unfledged, she knows €ull
well that if she lets them rest on bare twigs, they will
suffer and be in pain. Accordingly she settles on the
backs of sheep, plucks some wool, and with it makes
their bed soft for her offspring.

25. The mother Swallow trains her young ones to ^|f™ llow
be just by carefully distributing food in equal por- y0UDg
tions. So she does not bring one meal for all, be-
cause she is not able to do so, but brings small objects

and a few at a time; she feeds the first-born first,
after it the second, thirdly her third offspring, pro-
ceeding as far as the fifth in the same way ; for the
Swallow neither conceives nor hatches more than five.
She herself only consumes as much food as she can
obtain in the nest, that is, anything that is dropped
beside it. Her young are slow to open their eyes, m
the same way as puppies. But she collects and
brings a herb « and they by degrees gain their sight ;
then after remaining quiet for a while, when able to
fly, they leave the nest to seek for food. Men long
to possess this herb but have not yet obtained their
desire.

26. Among birds Hoopoes are the most savage ; The Hoopoe
and in my opinion it is due to the recollection of their

a Pliny {HN 8. 27 ; 25. 8) calls it chelidonia, i.e. Greater
celandine.

2 not ra.

3 Ges : rrjs vojxtjs.. 4 ovScttco vvv.

187.

AELIAN

lAvtffJW) Kal iiivroi Kal pbCaet rod yivovs rod rcov
yvvatKcov VTrotrXeKew rag KaXids iv rais iptffiois
kcli rots irdyois rols y^Aois" Kal VTrep rod firj
TTpoaiivai rov$ dvOpconovs avrwv rots f$p£<j>eow ot-
Be avrl rod 7rr)Xod xplovai rds KaXids, diroTrdrripia
dvdpcoiTov ireptfiaXovres 3 rfj SvorcoBta re Kal Ara/co-
ayzta dveLpyovres Kal dvaoreXXovres to fwov rd
iavroLS -TToAepLLov. erv%e Be Kal £v rq> reixpvs 1
ip-qiioripco oBe 6 opvis iraiBoTrov^odpievos k'v rivt
p7]yfxart Xidov vtto rod -^povov Biaordvrt. ovkovv
o rod rev%ov$ p,€XeBo)v6$ tBd>v evBov rd fipe<f>7]
KarrjXeiijse rov yyipap^bv rw 7n)A<J>. Kal virovrpdiftas
o GTTOiffj d>s etBev avrov diroKXeiodivray rroav
iKOfiLcre, Kal TTpoorjveyKe rep TrqXcp* 6 Be Kareppvrj,
/cat irpoorjXQe irpos rd avrov eKelvos reKva, etra
im (rtyy 2, vopbrjv fj^ev. adOis o$v 6 avros eTTYjXei-
iftev avBpwrros, Kal o 3 opvis rfj avrfj iroa dvicp^e
rov yr\pa\Lov Kal ro rplrov eTTpdyBr\ rd avrd. 6
rowvv rod ret^ovs (f>vAa£ IBcbv ro irparro^evov,
rrjv -rroav 4 dveXopevos ^xpfjro & T( * 0,-drd,

aAA dviipyev 5 firjBdv ol TrpoarjKovras Orjaavpovs*

27. f H HeXoiTovviqcFos Xeovraw dyovos ion- Kal
ota 6 €lko$ "OfATjpos ireTraiBevftevr) <f>pevl avviBtbv
rovro rrjv "Aprep,vv €Kei6c Orjpcooav aSwv etirev
on dpa e-rreioi rov re Tavyerov Kal rov ^pvpuavBov

repTTOfievT] Kairpoiai Kal toKelrjs iXd<f>oicriv.

1 rdxovs A y rov r. most MSS.

2 <r^> add. H.

3 j,
^*

* avvredeicrrjs rrjs rroas,

5 avoLyaiv* 6 oca ye,

188

ON ANIMALS, III. 26-27

former existence as human beings and more especially
from their hatred of the female sex « that they build
their nests in desolate regions and on high rocks ;
and to prevent human beings from getting near their
young they smear their nests not with mud but with
human excrement, and by dint of its disgusting and
evil smell they repel and keep away the creature that
is their enemy.

It happened that this bird had raised a family m
the deserted part of a fortress, in the cleft of a stone
that had split with age. So the guardian of the for-
tress, observing the young birds inside, smeared the
hole over with mud. When the Hoopoe returned
and saw itself excluded, it fetched a herb and applied
it to the mud. The mud was dissolved ; the bird
reached its young, and then flew off to get food. So
once again the man smeared the spot over, and the
bird by means of the same herb opened the hole.
And the same thing happened a third time. There-
fore the guardian of the fortress, seeing what was
done, himself gathered the herb and used it not for
the same purpose ; instead he laid open treasures that
were none of his.

27. The Peloponnese does not breed Lions, and The Peio-
Homer (as you would expect) with his trained intelli-

devoid of

gence realising the fact, says in singing of Artemis Lions
and her hunting there that she passes over Taygetus &
and Erymanthus

* delighting in boars and swift-footed stags *

5 5 -[Od.6.104].

b Mountain range to the W and S of Sparta —Erymanthus,
mt on the borders of Achaia and Arcadia.

189

AELIAN

€7f€L be eprjjjba Aeovroxv raoe ra oprj, /cat fjidAa ye
gIkotws ovk ifivrjarOrj avrwv.

28. YLverai Be ev rfj 'Ept>#/>a BaXdrrr} l'x8vs )
Kal ova ye elBevai ep,e, eOevro Uepaea <ot> 2

€7Tt,){<JL)pLOl OVOfia aVTCD. KCLI OL fJL€V "JZXXrjves

avrov ovro), KaXovm Be /cat "Apafies ofioicos rots,
"EAAtjov A toy yap vlov Kal eKeivoi ahovai tov
Uepaea, Kal am avrov ye tov L%dvv vpuvovat
XeyeoOat. fieyedos fxev ovv eon Kara tov dvBlav
tov iiiyiOTOVy IBeiv Be opuotos XdfipaKi* ypvrros ye
(Mrjv rjaruxy ovras, /cat f (Lvacs TreTroiKiXrai ^puo*<5
TTpoveiKaupLevais' apyovrai Be diro rrjs Ke^aXifs
emKapatoi at f cbvai, Kal is rrjv yaoripa Kara-
Xiqyovai. ire^paKrai Be oBovac fieydXots Kal
ttvkvols. Xeyerat Be lyQvaw irepieivai pcofij] re
crcofxaTOS Kal j8ta* dXXd ovBe roXpbrjs ol ivSel.
drjpav Be avrov Kal aypav etnov aAAa^o^t.

29. 'H TTLwrj OaXdrrtov £<pov, Kal eon ra>v
ooTpelwv. Keyy\ve Be rfj Staoraaet rtov vepiKeL-
p,evo)v oarpaKwv, Kal irporeLvei oapKiov i£ iavrrjs
olovel BeXeap rots TrapavriyopLevoLs rwv l)(6va)v.
KapKwos Be avrfj Trapafievei ovvTpo<f>6s re Kal
crvwopios. ovkovv orav ns rtov lyQvtov TTpoaver],
6 Be VTrevv^ev tJozt^t} o,vrqv Kal rj Ttivvr] jiaXXov
dvew^ev eavrr\v s Kal iBetjaro eaco rod emovros
IxSvos rrjv Ke<f>aXrjv (Kadirjoc yap ws eirl rpo<j>fj)
Kal eadiet avrijv.

1 €7reiSrj* 2 <ot) add. Schn.

Not in any surviving work.

ON ANIMALS, III. 27-29

And since these mountains are destitute of Lions he
was quite right not to mention them.

28. There occurs in the Red Sea a fish, and, so far The

1 (*' Perseus

as I know, the people there have given it the name ol fish
Perseus, And the Greeks call it so, and the Arabians
in like manner with the Greeks. For they too call
Perseus the son of Zeus, and it is after him that
they declare the fish is named. Its size is that of the
largest anthias ; in appearance it is like a basse ; its
nose is somewhat hooked, and it is dappled with rings
as it were of gold round its body, and these rings be-
gin at the head at right angles to it and cease at the
belly. It is armed with large teeth set close. It
is said to surpass other fish in the strength and power
of its body, neither is it wanting in courage. How to
fish for it and how to catch it I have explained else-
where,

29. The Pinna is a marine creature and belongs to ^ a and
the class of bivalves. It opens by parting the shells

that enclose it, and extends a small piece of its flesh
like a bait to fish that swim by. The Crab however
remains by its side, sharing its food and its feeding-
ground. So when some fish comes swimming up, the
Crab gives the Pinna a gentle prick, whereat the
Pinna opens its shell wider and admits the head of the
approaching fish — for it lowers its head to feed — and
eats it.

191

AELIAN

30. 'Hv Be apa olrceia rep 7re7TaiBevpL€Vtp Kal
ravra elBevav. crocpcoraros 6 kokkv£ Kal rrXeKeiv
evrropovs e£ aTTopojv fjL7])(ava$ Beworaros. eavrco
{lev yap aweir Car arai eTTcod^etv ov Bvvafievcp Kal

€KX€7T€iV Bid ifwXpOTqTO, T7)$ €V rep OtO JJLCLTl

ovyKpdcrecos , cos <f>aoLV. ovkovv orav tiktt}, ovre
avros veorndv viroTrXeKei ovre ridrjvecrat rd ftpecfay],
<f>vXdrrei Be apa rovs rcov veorritov Beanoras
dcf>eurcoras Kal TrXavcopLevovs 3 Kal rrapeXBcov is
Karaycdyrjv oOvelav ivriKrei. ov rrdvrtov he dpvi-
9wv KaXiaZs tTCLTTrioa ovros ye, dXXd KopvBov Kal
<f>drrrjs Kal ^Aco/hSos" Kal rrdrrrcQV rovrois yap
avverrtararai o/xota avrco cod tiktovoi. Kal Kevcov
fiev avrwv ovacov, ovk dv irapeXOoi* tbtov Be evBov
ovrcov etra p^evroi rd iavrov TTapevipbi^ev \ idv
Be rj rroXXd rd iKelvcov, rd p,ev eKKvXlaas r)tj>dviue 3
rd Be iavrov KareXnre, BcayvcooOrjvai re Kal
^copaQrjvai Bi opiOLorrjra firj Bwdpbeva. Kal oi
uev opviOes ol rrpoeipiqiLevoL rd p/iqBiv a<f>iai
TTpoarfKOvra iKyXvtfiovoiv, virornqyvvpLeva Be eKeiva
iavrots ovveyvcoKora rr)v voBelav iKirireral re Kal
rrapd rov yecvdfxevov oreXXerai' rcov yap irrepwv
avrocs rrepiyvBevrtov yvcopi^erai dXXorpta ovra,
Kal atfctferat mKporara. oparai 1 Be filav copav
rov erovs rrjv dplorrjv 6 kokkv^ r\pos yap
virapxoiievov Kal avros ep,<f>avrj$ ionv is dvaroXds
Ttetplov, etra rrjs rcov rroXXcov oifietos dvexcop-quev \

31. 'AXeKrpvova (f>of$etrai Xecov. Kal fiaoiXtaKos
Be rov avrov opvw, cos <f>aaw> oppcoBei, Kal KanBcov
Tpepbei, Kal aKovcov aBovros crrrdrai re Kal aTroOvrj-

1 Kal oparai,

592

ON ANIMALS, III. 30-31

30. It seems after all fitting that an educated man The Ouckoo
should be acquainted with these facts as well. The
Cuckoo is extremely clever and most adroit at devis-
ing ingenious solutions to difficulties. For the bird is
conscious that it cannot brood and hatch eggs because
of the cold nature of its bodily constitution, so they
say. Therefore, when it lays its eggs, it neither builds
itself a nest nor nurses its young, but watches until
birds that have nestlings are flown and abroad, enters
the strange lodging, and there lays its eggs. The
rascal does not however assail the nests of all birds,
only those of the lark, the ring-dove, the greenfinch,
and the pappus , a knowing as it does that these birds
lay eggs resembling its own. And if the nests are
empty, it will not go near them, but if they contain
eggs, then it mixes its own with them. But if the
eggs of the other bird are numerous, it rolls them out
and destroys them and leaves its own behind, their
resemblance making it impossible to know them
apart and detect them. And the aforesaid birds
hatch the eggs which are none of theirs. But when
the Cuckoo's young have grown strong and are con-
scious of their bastardy , they fly away and resort to
their parent. For directly they are fledged they are
recognised as alien and are grievously ill-treated. y

The Cuckoo is seen only at one season, and that the
best, of the year. For it is actually visible from the
beginning of spring until the rising of the Dog-star ; &
after that it withdraws from the sight of man.

. 31. The Lion dreads a Cock, and the Basilisk too* TheCock,
they say, goes in fear of the same bird : at the sight L&nt^d
of one it shudders, and at the sound of its crowing it B as m sk

Unknown bird. 6 About mid- July.

VOL. I.

193

H

AELIAN

crfcet. ravra apa Kal ol rrjv Aifb&qv oBonropovvres
rrjv T(xiv roiovrwv rpO(f>6v Beet, tov TTpoeipiqpLevov
fiaoiXLaKov elra \l£vtoi <jvvi\mopov Kal Koivayvov
rfjs 6Bov tov aXetcrpvova eirdyovraiy oaitep odv to
ttjXikovtov kclkov drraXXd^ei avrots.

32. e H Kprjrrj Kal tols Xvkols Kal rots ipTrerois
Ot]pLois €%QLoTt} earLv. olkovo} (Bey 1 ®eocf>pdaTov
Xeyovros Kal iv rco MaKeSoviKto ^OXvpmco tols
Xvkocs ajSara etvat. atyes Be apa at K.€<f>aXXrjvlSes
ov irlvovai \it]vG>v e£. ots Be TlovBtvds 2 ovk otfsei,
XevK&s, &s <f>aai, fieXatvas Be rrdaas* Bia<f>opoT7]s
Be apa tcov ^(pew Kal IBioTiqs €&] dv Kal ravrrj'
rd fiev yap avrcbv eWt BaKerd koI evirjatv diro
rov oBovros <f)dpp,aKov , fSX-qriKa 3 Se oca rratcravra
etra /xeVrot Kal e/cetva to 4 toiovtov KaKov
ivlrjGiv.

33. e H Ai/Waa S' dents y aKovoj, rov irpos to
</>varr)[j,a avrijs dvTifiXeifsavra 5 tv</>Xol rrjv oi/jw
rj Be dXXrj ov rv<f>Xoi fiev 3 diroKTeivei Be paara.

KAyovTai Be /Joe? *H7TeipcoTiKal TrXeiarov ooov
dpbiXyeuBai /cat olyes at TiKvpiai ydXa d<f>6ovd)ra~
rov 7rape^etv, ocrov ovk aAAat atyes 1 . at Be
Alyvirriat, eariv at 6 7reWe aTroTiKrovat,? Kal at
7rAet€7Tat BtBvfia. Xeyerai Be amo? o NetAo?
etvat, evreKvoraTov irapexow vBcop. evQev roi Kal
ra>v vopuecov rovs ayav <f>tXoKaXovs Kal tt}s TrolfJLvrjs
rrjs a<f>eTepa$ ex ovra $ 7rej>povTiaiieva)s vBcop €K
rov NetAov rat? iavTcov dyeXats dyew p,7})(av7}

1 <8e'> add. H. 2 'Afofyvds.

8 Schn : jBA^ra. * rt.

194

ON ANIMALS, III. 31-33

is seized with convulsions and dies. This is why
travellers in Libya, which is the nurse of such mon-
sters, in fear of the aforesaid Basilisk take with them
a Cock as companion and partner of their journey to
protect themselves from so terrible an infliction.

32. Crete is exceedingly hostile to wolves and rep- Jocai pecu-
tiles ; and I learn from Theophrastus a that there are ian ies
places on Macedonian Olympus where wolves do not

go. Goats in Cephallenia go without drinking for six
months. Among the Budini, & they say, you will not
see a white sheep : they are all black.

It seems that one peculiarity that distinguishes
animals consists in this : some bite and inject poison
from a fang, while others are given to striking, and
having struck also inject a like deadly substance.

33. The Libyan Asp, I am told, blinds the sight of in
the man who faces its breath. But the other kind

does not indeed blind but kills at once.

It is said that the Cows of Epirus give a most
copious supply of milk, and the Goats of Scyros a far g?^" 3
more generous yield than any other goats. And r
there are Goats in Egypt that produce quintuplets, in Egypt
while most produce twins. The Nile is said to be the
cause of this, as the water it provides is extremely
progenitive. For that reason shepherds who like fine
flocks and devote much care to them have a device
for drawing as much water as is possible from the Nile

° There is no such statement in his extant remains.
. b The Budini were a tribe living N of the Sea of Azov.

6 e/caonj. 7 dirort/cret.

195

AELIAN

oaov Svvarov eari, Kal reus ye areptyais 1 eft /cat
/xaAAov.

34. rtroAejuata> ra> Bevrepw <f>aalv i£ 'IvSwv
Kepas eKopla9rj 3 /cat rpels dpL<f>opeas ixwprjcrev.
olo$ 2 apa 6 fiovs rjv, <hs iK7T€<f>vi<dvai oi rrjXiKovrov
Kipas*

35. UepBiKwv <f>deyp,a ev ovheiror dv aKOvaetas 3
amavTwv, aAAa egrt Sid<f>opa. /cat *A9ijv7]al ye
ot iireKewa rov KopvSaXXiwv hrtfiov aAAo 4
rixovvi, Kal ol irrlraSe aAAo. riva Be ion rots
<£#ey/xacrt rd ovopuara, ipet ®e6<j>paaros. iv Be
rfj BotajTta /cat rfj dvriirepas Eu/?ota 6p,6<f)covol re
even /cat coy av etVot ns o/zoyAa»TTOt. d<f>cova Be
ian to Ttapdirav iv Kvprfvy pkv ol fidrpaypL, iv
JVEa/ceSovta §e £s". /cat TCTTtycov rt yevos, d<f>a)vot
/cat ofiroi.

36. FeVos 1 <f>a\ayyiov <f>aalv etvav, koXovgi Be
paya to <j)aXdyyiov, etre on pueXav ion Kal rep
ovri TTpoaioiKe orafoXfjs payl Kal rrws opdrav /cat
7T€pi</>€pis, elre St' air lav iripav? ylverai Be cv
rfj Ki^vrjy Kal e^et TroSas" p,tKpovs Q ' aropua Be
€i\r}%€V iv fiiarj rfj yaarpl, Kal eanv aTtOKretvai
rdx^rov.

37. 'Ev Heptyco fidrpaxoi, to TTapdrrav ovk dv
avrwv aKovcreias 7 <f>Qeyyop,€va>v\ el Be avrovs
KopLLueias 8 aAAa^o^t, StaTopov tc 9 /cat rpa%vra-

1 rats <rreplif>cu$ ye. 2 ottos C<wy . if, o Jtoj AL.

196

ON ANIMALS, III. 33-37

for their herds, especially for animals that are
barren. *

34. They say that a horn was brought from the a wonderful
Indies to Ptolemy II, and it held three amphorae.* Ho * n
Imagine an ox that could produce a horn of that size,

35. You would never hear the same note from all The
Partridges, but they vary. At Athens for instance Parfcridge
those on the far side of the deme Corydallus emit one
note, those on this side another. What names these
notes have Theophrastus will tell us [jr. 181]. But

in Boeotia and on the opposite shore of Euboea they
have the same note and, as it were, the same lan-
guage. In Cyrene the Frogs are completely dumb ;
in Macedonia, the Pigs ; and there is also a kind of
Cicada that is dumb*

36. There is a kind of Spider which they call the The Grape-
* Grape-spider, 5 either because it is dark and does in spider
fact resemble a grape in a bunch—it has a somewhat
spherical appearance — or for some other reason. It
occurs in Libya and has short legs ; it has a mouth in

the middle of its belly, and can kill in a twinkling.

37. In Seriphus you will never hear the Frogs The Frogs^
croaking at all. If however you transport them else- enp m
where, they emit a piercing and most harsh sound.

a About 26 gallons.

4 aAAo ye.

6 irepav, Karayvcovat, touto paov ovk ian.
6 Qes : iiaKpovs, . 7 aKovaais*

8 KOfiiacus.

AELIAN

rov rixovaw. iv Hiepcp Be rrjs QerraXias Xlfivrj 1
iariv, ovk aevaos> dXXd ^et/xajvos* e/c rwv ovp-
peovroyv is avrrjv vBdrcov TtWerat. ovkovv idv
ifjL^dXrj res fSarpdxovs is avrrjv, (ncoTrcoaw,
dXXaxov (ftQeyyopLevoL. vrrep Be ra>v Hept^lcov
fiarpaxoiv K0fjL7rdCovot Hept<j>ioi eXBeiv e/c rod
Kara tt}s Topyovos dOXov rov Uepaea TroXXrjv
rrepieXBovra yrjv 3 Kal ota etKOS Ka\i6vra dva-
TravaaaBai rrjs XlpuvrjS TrXrjalov Kal KaraKXivrjvai
vttvov Beopbevov. rovs Be fiarpdxovs fioav Kal
ipeoxeXelv rov jjpwa Kal rov vttvov avra> Sia/coV-
reiv 2 ' rov Uepoea Be ev^aaOai ra> war pi rovs
fiarpdxovs Karacrtydcrat. rov Be viraKovoai Kal
XCtptCofJievov ra> vlet rcov eKeWi f3arpdx&>v alawiov
oiyr)v Kara^srj^ioaaQai. Xeyei Be ®eo<f>pacrros
eKpdXXwv rov puvBov Kal Hepi<$>lovs rrjs dXa^oveias
irapaXvaiv rrjv rov vBaros xffvxpovqra alrLav etvai
rrjs d<f>a>vias rwv rrpoeipy\\x,evosv \

38. 'Ei> rocs vypots ^ajp/ots 1 Kal evQa vorcwra-
ros 3 6 drjp vrrepdyav, ol dXeKrpvoves ovk qBovvi,
(fttjcrl &e6<f>paoros * r) Be iv $>evea> Xlpuvr] lyBvaw
dyovos ion. tpvxpol Be dpa ovres rrjv avyKpaaw
ol rerriyes etra puevroi irvpovpLevot, rep rjXlco 4
aBovow, eKetvos Xeyet.

39. ToXfjurjporaros 5 <^Se)> 6 dpa ^epeov 6 alyiBiqXas
rjv rwv p,ev yap opvfflwv vrrep<f>povei rwv puLKpwv,
imrlderaL Be rats algi Kara ro Kaprepov, Kal
fxevrot </ccu)> 7 rots ovOaatv avrwv TTpooTrerofievos

1 Oesx XifMV7j 17.

3 BiaKQTTTew Kal \v7tgiv 8k]Xov6ti.

198

ON ANIMALS, III. 37-39

On mount Pierus in Thessaly there is a lake ; it is not
perennial but is created in winter by the waters which
flow together into it. Now if one throws Frogs into
it they become silent, though vocal elsewhere.
Touching the Seriphian Frogs the people of Seriphus
boast that Perseus arrived from his contest with the and Perseus
Gorgon after covering an immense distance, and being
naturally fatigued rested by the lake side and lay
down wishing to sleep. The Frogs however worried
the hero with their croaking and interrupted his
slumbers. But Perseus prayed to his father to silence
the Frogs, His father gave ear and to gratify his son
condemned the Frogs there to everlasting silence.
Theophrastus however upsets the story [fr. 186] and
relieves the Seriphians of their imposture by asserting
that it is the coldness of the water that causes the
aforesaid Frogs to be dumb.

38. In moist places and where the air is excessively Local pecu-
damp Cocks do not crow, according to Theophrastus iari 1
[fr. 187]. And the lake at Pheneus produces no fish.

It is because Cicadas are constitutionally cold that,
when warmed by the sun, they sing, says the same
writer.

39. It seems that the Goatsucker is the most ^^° at "
audacious of creatures, for it despises small birds but suc er
assails goats with the utmost violence, and more than

that, it flies to their udders and sucks out the milk

3 voTLcorepos-

4 Jac : 7rvpovfi4vov rov rjXlov.

5 ToXfAWpOTOLTOV G$S, ToXflTjpOTepOV.

6 <Se / > add. H.

7 </«»'> add. B.

199

AELIAN

etra eKpuv^a to yaAa, 1 Kal rrjv rifiwpLav rfjv e/c
rov ahroXov ov Be8otKe 3 KaLroi 7rovrjp6rarov
avrais jJLicrdov vrrep rfjs 7TXr)op,ovf}$ diroBiBovs*
rv<f>Xol yap tov pbaarov, 2 Kal drroa^evvvai rrjv
eKeWev impporjv.

40. M^rpoBtBaKrov puev rov rvjs ^Ap-qrrjs 3 vlov
rov rrjs dBeX<f>7]s rrjs 'ApiaTLTTTrov vpuvovotv ol
7roXXoC* Xeyei Be ^ ApiaroreXr]? IBeiv avros rd
veorria Trjs drjBovos vtto rijs pLTjrpds SiSaoxoiieva
abeiv. iqv be apa opvwoyv rj arjocov eAevaepias
ipdarpia loxvptos, Kal Bid ravra rj ivreXrjs rrjv
rjXiKtav orav OrjpaOyj Kal Kadeipyfievrj rj, 4 " wBrjs 5
d7T€X€Tai, Kal dpAjverai rov opviQoQr\pav virep rfjs
BovXelas rfj aicowfj. ofirrep odv ol dv6pa>7Toi
7re7r€(,pap,evoi } rds p,ev rjBr] irpeofivrepas^ /xefliacrt,
(jTrovhdtovai Be Orjpdv rd veorria,

41. "Ittttovs fiovoKepws yrj 'IvBlkt) Tt/crei, <f)acrl,
Kal ovovs puovoKepOis r} avrrj rpe<f>ei y Kal ylverai
ye €K ra)v Kepdrajv rcbvBe €K7rd>piara. Kal el ri$
e? avrd epifidXoi cj^dpfxaKov BavaTV)<f>6pov 9 6 vriwv,
ovBev r) €7n^ovXrj Xvrrqaei avrov eotKe yap
dfWVTrjpLov rov KaKov to Kepas Kal rov Ittttov Kal
rod ovov elvai.

42. '0 7TOp<f>vpLa>v wpaioraros re dfia Kal
(f>epo}wp^d)Tar6s eon ^wcov, Kal ^atpct Koviopuevos,

1 4k rov yaAaKToy.

2 fMaarov orav cnraari MSS, ov av or. Jac.

3 Cos : 'Aplonqs.

4 $ iv tw OLKicrtcq) <f>vXdrrerac.

200

ON ANIMALS, III. 39-42

without any fear of vengeance from the goatherd,
although it makes the basest return for being filled
with milk, for it makes the dug 4 blind' and staunches
its flow.

40. Many people sing the praises of the son of ^ e htiB ale
Arete, the sister a of Aristippus, as being taught by lg mga e
his mother. Aristotle says [HA 536 b 17] that he

has with his own eyes seen the young of the Night-
ingale being instructed by their mother how to sing.
It seems that the Nightingale passionately loves its
freedom, and for that reason when a mature bird is
caught and confined in a cage, it refrains from song
and takes vengeance on the birdcatcher for its en-
slavement by silence. Consequently men who have
had this experience let them go when they are older
and do their best to catch the young.

41. India produces horses with one horn, they say, The Horn
and the same country fosters asses with a single horn, ^com
And from these horns they make drinking-vessels,

and if anyone puts a deadly poison in them and a man
drinks, the plot will do him no harm. For it seems
that the horn both of the horse and of the ass is an
antidote to the poison.

42. The Purple Coot is the most beautiful and the ^ t Pur P Ie
most appropriately named of creatures, and it de-

Arete was the daughter, not the sister, of Aristippus, and
her son was called after his grandfather.

5 Kal rpo<f}wv Kal <hBrjs.

6 irpeopvrepas koX akovaa$.

201

AELIAN

yBir] Be koI Xovrac 1 to rcbv rrepiarepcov Xovrpov
ov rrporepov Be eavrov emBiBaicn, rats KovLorpais
Kal rots Xovrpots, rrplv dv fiaBLarj nvd dpiOjxov
fiaBlaeajv 2 dpKovvrd ol. virovpLevos Be errl fiaprv-
pwv a'xOerai,, Kal Bid ravra dvaxoopei, Kal
vrroXavOdvcov eoQtei. fyXorvTros Be eariv taxvpebs,
Kal ras vrrdvBpovs r&v yvvaiKoiv 7rapa<f>vXdrrec,
Kal edv Karayvtp fiocxeveadai rrjs otKtas rrjv
hiGTrowav, dirdyxei iavrov. ov irerer ai Be vtp7]X6s.
Xaipqval ye jmtjv ol avdpcoiroi avrq), Kal rpe^ovai
7re<f>eicrp,eva)s Kal 7Tpop,r]0a>s avrov. Kal eotKev r\
aofiapas olKtas Kal p,eya rrXovatas dBvpfxa elvai,
77 viroBexerai vews avrov, Kal d<f>ero$ dXdrai Kal
tepos rrepieiGW eaco irepifioXov. rov ra&v puev
ovv ojpatov bvra Kal KaraOvovori Kal acrovvrai ol
dcrcoror rov yap opvtOos rd p,ev irrepa Koapuos
eon, to 8c acopca 7] n rj ovBev. z rropfopic&va Be
ovk otBa KaraOvcravra ovBeva £ttI Bet7TV(p, ov
KaAAtav ov K.rrjoi7T7rov rovs 'Adrjvalovs, ov
AevKoXXov 4 ovx ^Oprrjaiov rovs ^Pajfialovs*
etirov Be oXlyovs £k ttoXXcov dawrovs Kal aKpare-
ararovs rfj re dXXr) Kal p,evroi Kal irepl yaarepa.

43. f O Kopa£ 6 rjBrj yepwv orav fir) Bvvt]rai
rpe<j>ew rovs veorrovs, eavrov avrots irporelvei
rpo<f>rjv ol Be eodiovat rov mrepa. Kal rr)v

1 Aouerat. 2 /faSureas.

3 Jac : ijv rt ovhev.

4 AgvkovXAov most MS8, ewoXov A.

* Callias : end of 5th cent. B.C., a wealthy and frivolous
Athenian. Both Xenophon and Plato lay the scene of their

202

ON ANIMALS, III. 42-43

lights to dust itself, and it also bathes just as pigeons
do. But it does not devote itself to the dusting-
place or to the bath until it has walked a certain
number of paces to satisfy itself. It cannot bear
being seen feeding, and for that reason it retires and
eats in concealment. It is violent in its jealousy and
keeps a close watch on the mated female birds, and
if it discovers the mistress of its house to be adul-
terous, it strangles itself. It does not fly high. Yet
men take pleasure in it and tend it with care and
consideration. And apparently it is either a pet
in a sumptuous and opulent household, or else it is
admitted into a temple and roams unconfined, moving
about as a sacred creature within the precinct.-

The Peacock on the contrary, which is a beautiful £be^
bird, is killed and eaten by voluptuaries. The eacoc
feathers of this bird are a decoration, though its body
is of little or no account. But I never heard of any-
one killing a Purple Coot for a meal, not Callias a
nor Ctesippus the Athenians, not Lucullus nor
Hortensius the Romans. I have named but a few
out of many who were luxurious and insatiate in other
ways but especially where their bellies were con-
cerned.

43. When the Raven on reaching old age can no £ h ^ v f
longer feed its young, it offers itself as their food ;
and they eat their father. And this is alleged to be

Symposia at his house. — Ctesippus, pleasure-loving Athenian,
defended by Demosthenes in his speech against Leptines;
became a butt for Comic poets. — Lucullus : 1st cent. B.C.,
conqueror of Mithridates; his name became proverbial for
wealth. — Hortensius : 1st cent. B.C., famous as an orator, the
rival of Cicero, and possessor of immense wealth.

203

AELIAN

TrapoLjxlav ivrevOev <f>aai rrjv yeveoiv Xafielv rrjv
Xeyovaav ^kclkov KopaKOS kclkov o>oV.'

44. TiO)<f>pov4<jTaTCU opvLOcov at (jxxrrai aSovrat.
o yovv dpprjv Kal 6 BrjXvs avvBvaaOevres Kal
olovel ovpmvevoavres is ydpuov dXArfXcov exovrai
Kal acx)(f>povod(n, Kal ovk av 68veiov Xe^ovs
ovBerepos difjatro rwv opvldtov TWvBe. edv Be
iTTO^daXfjudoraxJiv irepois y irepiep^ovTai avrovs ol
XoiTTot, Kal tov puev dppeva ol ofioyevets BiavTrcbaw ,
al QiqXeiai Berov QrjXvv. odros dpa 6 tt]s crco<f>po-
avvrjs v6(jlo$ Kal is rds rpvyovas d<j>iKveirai Kal
arpCTTTos fxevet, 1 irXrp/ rod <p?> 2 6avarova8at
eKaWepov tov opviv irrel tov p,ev dppeva aval-
povGL, tov he OrjXvv qtKreipav Kal eiaaav arra^r},
Kal TrepLeivi XVP°s

45. ^ApLcrroreXrjs Xeyei rcbv Trepicrrepcov rovs 3
dppevas rats BiqXeiaLs rats TiKTOvcrais ovvojoivew
Kal dXcopuevas rrjs KaXids e£co ovvcoOelv re Kal
avveXavvew, Kal orav reKwuLv, irrwdCeiv eKpidCe-
o6ai. OdXireiv he 4 /cat tovs dppevas rd veoTTia
Kal GvveKTpefyew 5 rat? OrjXelacs 6 avTos <])7}ui t
Kai vnep rod pur} KaKoalrovs elvai tovs veorrovs
TTpwTTjv Tpo<f>rjv StSoVat 6 rots' f$pe<f>eai tovs yei-
vap,evovs aXpuvpiBa yrjv, fjcmep odv yevadfieva elra
fxevroi Kai rwv Xowwv aiTeiuQai eTolpiOJS to
evrevOev avrd. BoKeZ 84 ttojs rats* rrepicrTepaZs 7
7Tpos fiev tovs dXXovs opvtOas tovs dpiraKTiKOVs
evorrovBa elvai, tovs pbevroi dXiaerovs Kal rovs

1 tiivei Kal is ras irtpiorepas ras Acu^as.

2 <^> add. H.

204

ON ANIMALS, III. 43~45

the origin of the proverb which says * A bad egg of a
bad raven.'

44, Bingdoves are celebrated as the most cori- |^ gdove
tinent of birds. For instance, when once the male

and the female have paired and are, so to say, of one
mind to wed, they cling to one another and are
continent, and neither bird would touch a strange
bed. If however they cast amorous glances at other
birds, the rest gather round them and the male is
torn to pieces by those of his own sex, the female by
the females. This then is the law of continence
which extends to doves and remains unchanged,
except that they do not put to death both birds :
when they kill the male they take compassion on the
female and leave her unharmed ; and she goes about,
a widow.

45. Aristotle says [HA 613 a 1] that male Pigeons The Pigeon
share the birth-pangs of the females, and if they
wander from the nest the males will push and drive

them in; and when they have laid their eggs the
males will force them to brood them. But the male
birds also keep the chicks Warm and help the females
to feed them, according to the same writer. And to
prevent the chicks from being underfed the parents
begin by giving them saline earth, so that when they
have tasted it, they then readily eat the rest of their
food. It would seem that there is a treaty of peace
between Pigeons and such others as are birds of prey ,
but they are said to live in fear of sea-eagles and

3 /cat rovs. ,
5 avvhiarptyew. ^ * evSiSowu.

7 Jac ; 7T€pL<rrepa2s to tvrevBtv.

AELIAN

KipKovs ws 7T€<j)piKavl (fxzcri. npos Be rovs UpaKas
oia 7raAafjLtovTai, aKovcrai a£iov. orav puev avrds
Biwktj 6 fierdpcnos re Kal is vxJjos 7recf>vK<bs ire-
reaBat, al Be VTroXiaBdvovaL 1 Kal Karcorepco
eavras KaQeXKovac Kal to rrrepov 2 rreipGwrai
irie^ew orav Be 6 Karcorepco Xax&v €K rijs
<j>vaeojs rrjv TTTTjcrtv, at B e acpovral re Kal fierewpo-
7Topov<7L, Kal vrrep avrov rreropLevai Bappovaw,
avcoripa) dgai p,rj Bwapbivov.

46. 'EAe^avros ttojXlco rcepirvyyavei XevKw ttco-
XevrrjS *Iv86s, Kal rrapaXafiwv erpe<f>ev en veapov 3
Kal Kara fiwpd aire<f>y}ve x €L P°^Bt] 3 Ka ^ ^a^etTo
ayr(b } Kal yjpa rod KTqfjLaros Kal dvr7]pdro 3 dvB*
tov edpeiffe rrjv dfxoifirjv KOfu£6p,evos iKetvos. 6
roLwv fiaoiXevs roov 'IvBcov irvBofxevos yjrei Xafiew
rov eXe<f>avra. 6 Be <I>s ipcofjievos fyXorvircbv Kal
fievroi ^ </cai> 3 TrepiaXytov el e/xeXXe BewiTOGew
avrov aAXos, ovk e<f>aro Bwcreiv, Kal &%ero dmwv
is rrjv eprftiov, dvafids rov eXe<f>avra. dyavaKrel
6 pacrcXevs, Kal rriiirrei Kar avrov rovs a^aiprjao-
fxevovs Kal ap.a Kal rov llvBov etrl rrjv Blkt]v d£ov-
ras. errel Be fjKov, eireipaivro $Lav 4 7rpoor<f>epew.
ovkovv Kal 6 avdpayrros efiaXAev avrovs dvcoBev,
Kat to Orjplov cos dBiKovpuevov GvvrjpvveTO . Kal ra
fiev Trp&ra rjv rotavra- iirel Be fiXrjBels 6 'IvBos
Kard)Xia9e, Trepifiaivei puev rov rpofiea 6 iXe<f>as
Kara rovs VTrepaGiri^ovras ev rots ottXois, Kal r&v
imovrow ttoXXovs direKrewe, rovs Be aXXovs
erpetftaro- irepifiaXiov Be rep rpo<f>eZ rrjv Trpofioa-

1 vnoXioddvovcri -rqv 7TT7jaLv. 2 Jteiske : mep&y S e '.

2p6

ON ANIMALS, III.. 45-46

falcons. But their method of dealing with hawks is a and Hawks
tale worth hearing. When the hawk, which is accus-
tomed to soar high in the air, gives chase, the Pigeons
glide and sink lower and attempt to reduce their
flight. When attacked however by some bird which
by nature flies at a lower level than they, the Pigeons
mount up and travel through the sky, and flying
overhead they have no fear, because the other cannot
harry them from above.

46. An Indian trainer finding a young white |^; t
Elephant took and reared it during its early years ;
he gradually tamed it and used to ride upon it and
grew fond of his chattel, which returned his affection
and recompensed him for his fostering care. Now
the king of the Indies hearing of this, asked to be
given the animal. But the trainer in his affection
was jealous and even overcome with grief at the
thought of another man being its master, and declined
to give it up; and so, mounting the Elephant, he
went off into the desert. The king in his indigna-
tion despatched men to take the Elephant away and
at the same time to bring the Indian to judgment.
When they arrived they attempted to apply force.
So the mart struck at them from his mount, and the
beast helped to defend its master as he was being
injured. Such was the beginning of the affair. But
when the Indian was wounded and fell, the Elephant
bestrode its keeper after the manner of armed men
covering a comrade with their shields, slew many
of the attackers, and put the remainder to flight.
Then, winding its trunk round its keeper, it raised

3 Oat') add. H.

Ges : Tretpav,

207

AELIAN

KiSa, a'lpei re avrov Kal iirl rd avXia fco/ufei,

KCU 7Tap€fX€lV€V COS (/>tXcp <f>lXoS TTIGTOS, KOL TTjP

evvoiav irreheiKwro . w avOpcoiroi rrovrjpol Kal
ire pi rpdrre^av puev Kal rayr\vov tff6<f>ov if del, €7r'
apivrd re x°P € v° VT€ ?>'t 1 *v he rots KtvBvvots
rrpohorai, Kal \idry]v Kal is ovhev to ttjs <f>tXtas
ovopua x°>wovt€s- 2

47. Aot€ fiot rovs rpaycoSovs TTpos rod 7rarpcpov
Aios Kal TTpo ye iKelvwv rovs pLvOoiroiovs ipeaOai
rt fiovX6p,evoi roaavrrjv dyvoiav rod rraibos rov
Aatov Karaxeovac rod avveXOovros rfj puTjrpl rrjv
hvarvxrj ovvohov, Kal rov TrjXe<f>ov 3 rov pur)
ireipaOivros fiev rrjs opuXlas, avyKaraKXtvevros he
rfj yeivapevr} Kal trpd^avros dv rd avrd, el purj 4
OeLa 7TOfi7T7] hietptjev 6 hpaKoov el ye ^ </>vats rots
dXoyois £wois rrjv roiavrrjv p,L^iv koX €k rov
Xpcoros 5 ^ hlhcocn Karavorjaai, Kal ov hetrat
yvtopiapdrayv ovde rov eKdevros is rov KiOaiptovaf
ovk av yovv rrore rfj reKovarj optXijoreie 7 Kap,7]Xos.
o 8* TOt vo ^^ s ' T Ji s ^y^Xrjs KaraKaXvijjas rov
OqXvv cLs otov re rjv Kal aTTOKpvifias -ndvra ttXt)v
rcdv apOpcov, rov iraiBa iirdyei rfj fiyrpi, Kal
iKelvos Xddpios vtto opprjs rrjs TTpos p,L£iv ehpave
to epyov Kal owq/ce. Kal rov p,ev alnov rrjs
ofxtXtas ol rrjs iKdeapov haKVOiv Kal rrar&v Kal

1 aei . . . xopevovrts corrupt, eVi paara>vqs Grasberger.

2 Jac : xpalvovres.

3 nal rov TyXtyov after Karaxeovat mss, transposed by H.
* Jac: €l firj iroXXdras.

6 xptOTO? TTpoaaijjaiizvois.

6 Kt0atp<Sra <!>s 6 OIBCttovs 6 rov %o<f>oi<X4ovs.

7 ofttAiJcrat.

208

ON ANIMALS, III. 46-47

him and brought him to its stable and stayed by his
side, as one trusty friend might do to another, thus
showing its kindly nature.

O wicked men, for ever busy (?) about the table
and the clash of frying-pans and dancing to your
lunch, but traitors in the hour of danger, in whose
mouth the word ' Friendship ' is vain and of no effect.

47. In the name of Zeus our father, permit me to J**^* 8
ask the tragic dramatists and their predecessors, the 1
inventors of fables, what they mean by showering
such a flood of ignorance upon the son of Laius a
who consummated that disastrous union with his
mother ; and upon Telephus 6 who, without indeed
attempting union, lay with his mother and would
have done the same as Oedipus, had not a serpent
sent by the gods kept them apart, when Nature
allows unreasoning animals to perceive by mere con-
tact the nature of this union, with no need for tokens
nor for the presence of the man who exposed Oedipus
on Cithaeron.

The Camel, for instance, would never couple with
its mother. Now the keeper of a herd of camels
covered up a female as far as possible, hiding all but
its parts, and then drove the son to its mother. The
beast, all unwitting, in its eagerness to copulate, did
the deed, then realised what it had done. It bit and
trampled on the man who was the cause of its un-

Oedipus, after having unwittingly slain his father Laius,
married his widow Iocasta.

* Telephus, son of Heracles and Auge. According to one
story Teuthras king of Mysia, unaware of their relationship,
gave his daughter Auge in marriage to Telephus who was
equally unaware.

209

AELIAN

rots yovacrt iratwv airiKrewev aAyeivorara, iavrov
Be KOT€KprnwiG€V. ajxadrjs Be koX Kara rovro
OtSlirovs, ovk aTTOKTzivas j 1 aAAa Tnqpdyaas ttjv

OlftW, Kdl TTjV TWV KOLKWV AvCTLV fL7) yVOVS i^OV

arrqXkdxOai /cat fxrj tw olko) /cat rq> yevei Kara-
pdbfxevov etra fievroc KaKcp dvTjKearq) IdaOat /ca/ca
rd 7]$7] TrapeXOovra.

1 aiTOKTewas (iaurov) Schn.

210

ON ANIMALS, III. 47

lawful union, and kneeling on him put him to an
agonising death, and then threw itself over a
precipice.

And here Oedipus was ill-advised in not killing
himself but blinding his eyes; in not realising how
to escape from his calamities when he might have
made away with himself instead of cursing his house
and his family ; and finally in seeking by an irremedi-
able calamity to remedy calamities already past.

211

BOOK IV

A

1. 'AKoXaororaroi opvldcov ol iriphtKis etcn.
ravrd roi Kal rcov BrjXeicov ipcoat Bpipuvrara, Kal
rijs Xayveias rfrrcopuevot ovvex^orard eloiv ot'oV.
ovkovv ol rptyovT€s rovs ddXrjrds iriphiKas, orav
avrov? is rrjv \idxqv rr\v Kara dXArjXcov viroOrjyajcn,
rrjv OrjXeiav Ttapeordvai ttoiovgw eKdcrrco rrjv avv-
vojiovy a6<f>Lcrp,a rovro SecXlas Kal KaKys rrjs Kara
Ti]v dytovLav dvrvnaXov avrols evpovres. ov yap
rl ttov r}TTcop,€vos <f)avrjvai r] rfj ipcopbivrj 77 rfj
yafijrfj 6 7re/>St£ VTrojievei* reOvrj^rac Se'/xaAAoV
>naiop,€vo$ r) ofxoae ^a^owro? amor panels ISeXv
roXprjaei ravrrjv doxrjixovcos , Trap* fj fiovXerai
(■vb'oKcpetv. ^ rovro rot Kal Kpyjres ' vnep rcov
ipcopdvcov Jvevoovv. aKovco yap Kprjra ipacrrrjv
dyadov^ rd re aXXa Kal ra TroAipuia ej^tv pukv
TraiStKa evyeves fxeipaKiov topa Biairpeires Kal rrjv
foxrjv dvSpetov Kal irpos ra KaXXtara rcov pad-qua-
rcov irecbvKos ev Kal koXcos, KaXovpuevov hk 6V
^AwaW is oirXa ti-qM-rrco (el-rrov ye fjL-rjv dXXaxodi
Kal rov ipaarov Kal rod KaXov ro ovopua) . dperas
p,kv ofivjv rfj p,dyp rov veaviav dirohe^ aaOai 1
tbaow ol Kpyres, dOpoas Se is avrov cbdovfievrjs
rrjs rcov ixdpcov <j>dXayyos Trpov7Traioai veKpcp
KCifLevtp, Kal Trepirpartrjvai Xiyovtnv avrov, rcov
odv ns rroXepicov, 6 paXiura TrX-qotov, dvarei-
1 Schn 1 airod(8oo8ai.

214

BOOK IV

1. Partridges are the most incontinent of birds *>^ ridg
that is the reason for their passionate love of the
female birds and for their constant enslavement to
lust. So those that rear fighting Partridges, when
they egg them on to battle with one another, make
the female stand each by her mate, as they have
found this to be a device for countering any cowardice
or reluctance to fight. For the Partridge that is
defeated cannot endure to show himself either to his
loved one or to his spouse. He will sooner die under
the blows than turn away from his adversary and dare
in his disgrace to look upon her whose good opinion
he courts. ,

The Cretans also have taken this view regarding {Jetan
lovers. For I have heard that a Cretan lover, who
had beside other qualities that of a fine soldier, had
as his favourite a boy of good birth, conspicuous for
his beauty, of manly spirit, excellently fitted by
nature to imbibe the noblest principles, though on
account of his youth he was not yet called to arms.
(I have elsewhere a given the name of the lover and
of the beautiful boy.) Now the Cretans say that
the young man did acts of valour in the fight, but
when the enemy's massed line pressed him hard,
he stumbled over a dead body that lay there and
was thrown down. Whereupon one of the enemy

a Not in any surviving work of Aelian's.

215

AELIAN

vdp,evos iraieiv ep,eXXe /caret ra>v \ieraj>pivcov
tov avhpa- 6 Se imorpa^eis f /x^a/i-a*? ' evnev
'alaxpav /cat dvaXi<rj 1 7rX7jyrjv eiraydyrjs, dXXd
Kara rwv arepveov dvrlav iralaov, Iva firj pcov
BeiXlav 6 ip<ofj,€vos Karaif/^LarjraL, /cat foXdfyrai
irepiareiXaL p,e veKpov s Kol p,dXa ye aaxrjfjiovovvTL
irpoaeXdelv ov ToXfjLwv* atBecrOrjvai fiev o$v avOpco-
ttov ovra <f>avfjvai kclkov ov7tq) Oavfiaarov
rrdpSiKt, Se pLeretvat at$ov$ vitepaepwov tovto €k
rrj$ <f>vcrea>s to Scopov. 'AptoroSrjfjsOs Be 6 rpeuas
/cat KXed>vvp,o$ 6 pliffas tyjv awrrtha /cat 6 BecXos
UelaavSpos ovre ras* TrarptSas fjBovvro ovre rd$
yapieras ovre ra iraihia.

2. 'Ev "EpvKi Tijs HiKeXtas iopT-q icrrw, rjv
KaXovmv 'Avaywyta 'EpvKtvol re avrol /cat
liivroL Koioaot h rfj Et/ceAta rrdcrr). rj §e air la
rod rrjs copras 6v6p,aro$, rr\v 'A<f>po8iTr]V Xe-
yovuiv ivrevOev €? Aifiv7]v diraipeiv ev ralahe rats
rjfiepcus. Bo^d^ovai Be apa ravra ravrrj 2 reKpcat-
pofievot,. Trepiorep&v irXydos icrnv evravda trap,-
rrXecarov. ovkovv at pikv ovx op&vrai, Xeyovat Be
'EpvKivoL rrjv Oeov Bopv<j>opovuas direXOeiV' d9vp-
/xara yap 9 A<f>po8lTq$ Trepivrepds ehai aBovcri re
€K€lvoi /cat iremorevKaoi irdvres dvdpamot. 8ieX~
dovv&v Be r)p,epwv ewea pulav puev BiarrpeTrrj rrjv
wpav e/c ye rod rreXdyovs rod ko^ovtos eK tt}$

1 Jac: avdXKT}, avahKiv. 2 rai J r?7 eKeiOev.

a A Spartan who owing to sickness was absent from the
battle of Thermopylae. Later, at Plataea, he wiped out his
'disgrace.' See Hdt. 7. 229-32 ; 9.71.
216

ON ANIMALS, IV. 1-2

who was nearest, in his eagerness was about to
strike him in the back. But the man turned and
exclaimed ' Do not deal me a shameful and cowardly
blow,.but strike me in front, in the breast, in order
that my loved one may not judge me guilty of
cowardice and refrain from laying out my dead body :
he could not bear to go near one who so disgraces
himself.'

There is nothing wonderful in a man being ashamed
to appear a coward, but that a Partridge should have
some feeling of shame, this is a truly impressive gift
of Nature. But Aristodemus the timid," and Cleo-
nymus who threw away his shield, 6 and Pisander the
craven, had no reverence for their country or for their
wives or for their children.

2. At Eryx in Sicily there is a festival which TheKgeo^
not only the people of Eryx but everybody dite at Eryx
throughout the whole of Sicily as well call the
* Festival of the Embarkation.' And the reason
why the festival is so called is this : they say that
during these days Aphrodite sets out thence for
Libya. They adduce in support of their belief the
following circumstance. There is there an immense
multitude of Pigeons. Now these disappear, and the
people of Eryx assert that they have gone as an
escort to the goddess, for they speak of Pigeons as
4 pets of Aphrodite,' and so everybody believes them
to be. But after nine days one bird of conspicuous
beauty is seen flying in from the sea which brings it

6 A frequent butt of Aristophanes.

c Athenian demagogue, end of 5th cent., lampooned by
Comic poets for his bulk, his rapacity, and his cowardice.
Helped to establish the rule of the Four Hundred.

217

AELIAN

AifSvrjs opdadai iairerop,evr)v, ot>x olav Kara rd?
ayeXalas ireXeidBas rag Xoi-rras ehai, 7rop<j>vpav
Be; Sarrep odv rrjv A(f>poBirr]v 6 Trjtos rfpXv
*AvaKpia>v aBec, e 7Top^>vperjv * 1 ttov Xeyaiv. Kal
Xpvvo) Be eiKacrfxevr] <f>avebq aV, Kal tovto ye Kara
rrjv 'Ojiijpov^ 6edv rrjv avrrjv, r)v eKelvos dvapeXireL
* xpvcrrjv', ^ iirerai Be avrrj ra>v Trepicrrepajv ra vejrq

TCOV^ XOITTWV, Kal €0pT7} TTOlXlV 'EpVKLVOLS KOI

Travrjyvpis^ ra Karaywyia, 2 e/c rod epyov Kal
rovro to 6Vo/z.a.

3. Avkoj ovvv6[LOi Kal ittttco, X4ovt4 ye fJLTJV
ovKerr Xiawa yap Kal Xecov ov rrjv avrrjv laoiv
ovre errl dr)pav 3 ovre -mopievoi. to Be alnov, rrj
rod GcLparos pa>p,7) Oappovvre 4 a\xj>oi elra ov
Belrat Oarepov 6 erepos, a>$ <f>acriv ol Trpeo-fivrepoi.

9^ ol Xvkol rr)v <hBtva olttoXvovctiv ,

aXXaev r)p,epais BcoBeKa Kal vv£l rovavrais, ewel
roaovrcp XP°™ rfv At?™ eg ArjXov i£ 'YTrepfio-
pewv eXOelv A^Atot <j>aaiv.

5. Z0a 5 <rroXep,ia x^Xcvvrj re Kal irepBig, Kal
TTtXapyos Kal Kpeg rrpos aWviav <Acat> 6 dpTrrj Kal
epcpBtog rrpog Xapov KopvBaXXog Be aKavQvXXiBi
voel TvoXifLia, rpvy6vi (Be} 1 Ttpog TrvpaXXiSa 8
Biacfiopa, Iktivos ye jjltjv Kal Kopag ixOpor oeipr)v

1 •nop(j>vprjv.

2 Meiske : ra Karaycoyta 7ravqyvpi$.

3 dtfpas.

4 Bappov Te most MSS, 8appovaiv A.

5 £<3a aAAi?Aots.

6 </cat'> add. H.

2lS

ON ANIMALS, IV. 2-5

from Libya : it is not like the other Pigeons in a flock
but is rose-coloured, just as Anacreon of Teos de-
scribes Aphrodite, styling her somewhere [ft. 2. 3 L>J
' roseate/ And the bird might also be compared to
sold, for this too is like the same goddess of whom
Homer sings as ' golden ' [II 5. 427]. And after the
bird follow the other Pigeons in clouds, and again
there is a festal gathering for the people of Eryx,
the * Festival of the Return * ; the name is derived
from the event.

3. The Wolf and the she-Wolf feed together, like- gon^a
wise the Horse and the Mare; the Lion and the
Lioness however do not, for the Lioness and the Lion

do not follow the same track either hunting or when
drinking. And the reason is that both derive con-
fidence from their bodily strength, so that neither has
need of the other, as older writers assert.

4. Wolves are not easily delivered of their young, The Wolf
only after twelve days and twelve nights, for the
people of Delos maintain that this was the length of

time that it took Leto to travel from the Hyper-
boreans to Delos.

5. Animals hostile to one another: the Tortoise ^
and the Partridge; the Stork and the Corncrake to

the Sea-gull; the Shearwater and the Heron to the
Sea-mew. The Crested Lark feels enmity towards
the Goldfinch; the Turtle-dove disagrees with the
Pyrallis ; * the Kite too and the Raven are enemies ;
Perhaps a kind of pigeon.

? <§€'> add. H. 8 irvppav.

AELIAN

Se 1 irpos Ktpxrjv, KipKTj he irpos Kipkqv ov rep yevei
p,6vov, aAAa /cat 777 <f>vaei Sta<f>epovre Tre<f>a>paa6ov.

Xdvv^ he ixdvs Xayvioraros . XevKovs he puvp-
p,y]Ka$ h> Qevew 2 rfj$ AaKtowKTjs aKoveiv irdpe-
arcv.

6. Tovs lttttovs eXeoi re Kal Xetficoai Kal rots
Karrjvefiois x^P^ -rjheaOai puaXXov l-TT7Torpo<f>ias
re koI 7Tw\oTpo(f)LKfjs avOpamot, ao<f>coral 6p,oXo~
yovaw. evBev rot Kal "OfLr)pos ipuol Sokziv Setvog
(ov Kal ra roiavra ovvihelv e<f>7] rrov

r<p rptaxtXtai Ittttol eXos Kara fiovKoXiovro .

etqveiitaadai he hrnovs ttoXX&kis imrofopfiol
reKjj,7]pcov<ji teal Kara rov vorov rj rov fioppav
<f>evyetv. ethora odv rov avrov 7TOt,7]<rfjv elireTv

rdcov Kal ^Boperjs rjpdcraaro /3ocrKop,evda>v ,
kol 'ApiaroreX-qs he, <bs ifie voeiv, Xaficbv ivrevBev
evBv rojv TTpoeiprjfMevcov avep,a)v olarp^Beicras oV
opaoKeiv 3 e<f>aro avrds.

y 7 : y ^°^° } , T °? ^ KV ^ V jBaortAea (to Se ovo/m
€i8(bs eo)> rt yap fxoL Kal XvcrireXes ianv ;) lir<nov
orrovhaLav e X €iv rraaav dperrfv, Sarjv Ittttoc Kal
anatsrovvrai Kal dTroheiKvvvrai, e^ew he Kal viov
avrrjs eKelvr^s rebv aXXcov dperfj htwrrpiirovra.

I o&riv ixMomis ovofia. 2 Iltyvcp Venmans.

aTTQoiopaaKGw.

a Probably the Serin-finch.

b The Circe has not been identified.

220

on animals; iv. 5-7

the Siren a and the Circe 6 ; the Circe and the Falcon
have been found to be at variance not only in the
matter of sex but in their nature.

The Sea-perch is the most lecherous of fishes. In
Pheneus in Laconia c one may hear tell ol white
Ants.

6 Men skilled in the breeding and care of Horses The Horse
agree that Horses are most fond of marshy ground,
meadows, and wind-swept spots. Hence we find
Homer, who in my opinion had a remarkable know-
ledge of such matters, saying somewhere [II 20. 221]

4 For him three thousand mares grazed along the
water-meadow/
And horse-keepers frequently testify to Mares being »« toj
impregnated by the wind, and to their galloping by the wind
against the south or the north wind. And the same
poet knew this when he said [II. 20. 223]

f Of them was Boreas enamoured as they pastured.'

Aristotle too, borrowing (as I think) from him, said
[HA 572 a 16] that they rush away in frenzy straight
in the face of the aforesaid winds.

7. I am told that the King of the Scythians (his ^mpieof
name I know but suppress, for I have nothing to gam iucest
by it) possessed a mare remarkable for every excel-
lence which is expected of horses and for which they
are displayed; and that he possessed also a foal of

c Pheneus was in Arcadia. Venmans, citing Paus. 3. 26.
2, 3, conjectures Pephmts, a place in Laconia at the NE. corner
of the Messenian Gulf. It was also the name of a rocky islet
at the mouth of the Pamisus; see Frazer on Paus. toe. w$.
The 1 white ants ' are fabulous,

221

AELIAN

ovkovv €vploKovra ovre €K€LV7]v dXXcp irapafia-
Xelv agio), ovre ifcewov aXXrj inayayetv to it;
avrov Xafieiv oirippba dyaOfj, Bid ravra dp,<f>aj
crvvayayeiv is to epyov tovs Si t<x /xiv erepa
aoira^ecrdai o<f>a$ Kal <j)iXo<f)pov€ladai ) ov purp>
iyxp^readai aAA^Aots. ovkovv ind tt}s em-
fiovXys tov liKvdov ao(j>d)T€pa rjv ra £a>a, iir^Xv-
yaaev tfiaTiois Kal tov Kal Trjv, Kal i^ipydaavro
to eKvofiov t€ Kal €k8lkov €K€lvo epyov. <Ls Si
a^a) crvvdSov to irpaxBiv, eha \i4vtoi to dadfirjfia
SieXvcravTO Qavarrw, TrrjSijaavTe KaTa Kpr]p,vov.

8. Aiyei JLvSt] fios Ittttov vias Kal tcov V€p,ofj,€-
vojv TTjs apLOT-qs ipaaO^vai tov ittttokoiaov, aWep
odv KaXfjs pdpaKos Kal tcov iv Tib x w P^ &ptK<tyr4-
pas iraawv Kal ra fxiv TrpaVra iyKapTepetv,
TeXtVTwvTa Si imToXfjurjoaL ra> Ae^et t<o gevco Kal
ofiiXeTv avTfj. Tjj Si dvai ttwXov Kal tovtov
koXov, Oeaad^vov ye fjbrjv to irpaTTOfievov aXyrjaat,
Uio-rrep odv TVpawovfiivrjs Tys p,7}Tpd$ vno tov
Sswttotov, Kal ifi7T7]SrjcraL /cat diroKTelvai tov
dvSpa, efoa fiivTot Kal <f>vXd£ai iv9a sra^, Kal
<j>oiTa>VTa avopVTT€W avTOV, Kal hroftpl&w tco
veKpw Kal Xvfjiaiveadai Xvfjurjv ttoikIXtjv. 1

9. Twv txOvatv Sid tov rjpos ol TrXeiVTOi is 2
a$po8CT7]v 3 7rp69vfjLOL dot, Kal dmoKpivovvL ye
avTovs is tov Uovtov fjL&XXov e^et yap itcds
OaXdfias T€ Kal Kofoas, </>v<T€ws ravra IxOvcrc 4 rd
Scopa- dXXd Kal Orjplwv iXevdepos iajiv oaa

1 iroiKifajv ovk aladavoyL€v<ji dXyovvra avrov.

222

ON ANIMALS, IV. 7-9

this same mare which surpassed all others in its ex-
cellence. Being unable to find either another worthy
mate for the mare or another mare fit to be impreg-
nated by the foal, he therefore put the two together
for that purpose. They caressed each other in various
ways and were friendly disposed, but refused to
couple. So as the animals were too clever for the
Scythian's scheme, he blindfolded both mare and foal
with cloths, and they accomplished the act so contrary
to law and morality. But when the pair realised what
they had done, they atoned for their impious deed by
death and threw themselves over a precipice.

8. Eudemus records how a groom fell in love with

a young mare, the finest of the herd, as it might have Mare
been a beautiful girl, the loveliest of all thereabouts.
And at first he restrained himself, but finally dared
to consummate a strange union. Now the mare had
a foal, and a fine one, and when it saw what was hap-
pening it was pained, just as though its mother were
being tyrannically treated by her master, and it
leaped upon the man and killed him. And it even
went so far as to watch where he was buried, went
to the place, dug up the corpse, and outraged it by
inflicting every kind of injury.

9. The majority of Fishes are eager for sexual ^hm *he
intercourse throughout the springtime, and withdraw season
for choice to the Black Sea, for it contains caverns

and resting-places which are Nature's gift to Fishes. •
Besides, its waters are free from the savage creatures

8 is (ek) om. AL. 3 rrjv afooMrqv.

4 Jac : lyBvoiv 6 Hovros-

323

AELIAN

jSoovcet OdXarra, BeAtfitves Se dXcovrai jJiovot,,
XeTTToL re Kal doBeviKol- Kal {JLrjv Kal ttoXvttov
X^jpos cart Kal rtayovpov dyovos, Kal daraKov ov
T/>€<£er fUKpajv Se lyBvow otSe SXzBpos elow. 1

10. HwddvofMai oeXtfvTjs v7TO(f>aivofi€vr}$ via$
rovs iXe^avras Kara riva </>vglkt)v Kal dnoppryrov
ewoiav e/c rfjs vXrjs iv fj ve/xovTat veohp€7T€Z$
d<f>eX6vras KXdSovs etra fievroi fierewpovs dvareC-
veiv, Kal 7Tpos tyjv Beov dvaj3Xd7T€w, Kal 'Qcrvxfj
rovs kXoBovs VTTOKtvetv, otov iK€T7]plav rwd ravrrjv
rfj Bew irporelvovras virep rod tXeojv re Kal €vp,€vfj
rrjv Beov ye elvai avrois.

11. Mom? aKovco tojv ^ojcov ras lttttovs Kal
Kvovcras vrrofjiivew rrjv rcov dppivwv p,t£iv ztvai
yap Xayvtardras. Bid ravrd roi Kal r<ov yvvatKcov
ras aKoXdarovs vtto tc5v aepuvoripws auras
evBvvovrwv KaXeioBai Ittttovs.

12. 01 irepBiKes iv rots ojocs oIkovvtcs ert Kal
KarecXrjjjb^evoc rocs Trepme^VKoai a<f>lcrw oarpd-
kois ovk dvafjiivovcri rrjv e/c ra>v yeivafxevcov
ZKyXv^riv, dXX avrol St' iavrcbv axrrrep BvpoKo-
rrovvrzs hiaKpovovai 2 ra d>d, Kal €KKVijsavres etra
a<f>as avroifs 3 dvojBovat y Kal to rod <hov Ae/x/m
Trepipprj^avres 7]Sr} Biovcrt, Kal to npos rw ovpalw
rffjLirofjbov , el TTpocrexoiro, Siaaeiadfievot €KpdX~
Xovaiv avro t Kal rpo<j>r]v fiacrrevovai, Kal rrrjScomv
wKtara,

1 Gron : iuriv, .* Mein : eKKpovovm mss, H.

224

ON ANIMALS, IV. 9-12

which the sea breeds. Only dolphins roam there,
and they are small and feeble. Moreover it is devoid
of octopuses ; it produces no crabs and does not breed
lobsters : these are the bane of small fishes.

10. I am informed that when the new moon begins J^g^* e
to appear, Elephants by some natural and un- Moon
explained act of intelligence pluck fresh branches

from the forest where they feed and then raise them
aloft and look upwards at the goddess, waving the
branches gently to and fro, as though they were
offering her in a sense a suppliant's olive-branch in
the hope that she will prove kindly and benevolent to
them.

11. I have heard that Mares are the only animals The Mare
which when pregnant allow the male to have inter-
course with them. For Mares are exceedingly lust-
ful, and that is why strict censors call lecherous
women * mares/

12. Partridges while still in the egg and confined

by the shell that has formed around them do not wait its young'
for their parents to hatch them out, but alone and
unaided, like house-breakers, peck through the eggs,
peep out, and then lever themselves up, and then
after cracking the egg-shell begin at once to run.
And if half the shell is clinging to their tail they
shake it off and cast it from them ; and they hunt
for food and dart about at great speed.

VOL. I.

eavrous.

225

I

AELIAN

13. Ta>v irepBiKOiv ol ropol re Kal wBlkoi rfj
a<j>erepa Oappovcrw evyXcorrla* Kal ol pLa^qriKol
Be Kal dyojvionKol Kal eKeivoi rreTTiorevKauiv ore
purj elatv d^ioi TrapavdXojpLa yeveaBat red^papLevoi*
Kal Bed ravra dXtVKOfxevoi rjrrov 7rpd§ rovs
6r}pa>vras Btafiaxovrat, vtrep rov purj dXtovat, 1 ol
Be dXkoL, Kal en [ictXXov oi Kippaioi, avveyvaiKores
iavroLS ovre dXKrjv dyaOols ovre aBew, koXcos Be
BieyvcoKores on dpa dXovres eoovrai Betirvov rots
TjprjKom, rraXafiwvrai nvi oo<f>la <f>vatKrj iavrovs
d/3p<Lrov$ rrapaoKevdaar Kal rfjs fiev aXXrjs
rpo<f>7]$y rjn$ avrovs ev<f>pawei re Kal matWt,
drreyovrai) GKOpoBa Be oirovvrai rrpoOvpuorara.
ol rolwv ravra rrpopiadovres eoireioavro irpos
avrovs eKovres dOrjplav oons Be rrj rovrcov ay pa
ov Trpoeverv^e y ovXXafiwv Kal KaOeifjrfcras aTrcoXecre
Kal rov -)(p6vov Kal rrjv eif avrols airovBrjv, rtovr\-
pov Kpea>$ rretpadels.

14. Ka/cov Orjplov rj yaXy, KaKov Be Kal 6 o<f>is.
ovkovv orav peeXXrj yaXij 6</>et (jbd^eadaL, Trrjyavov
Btarpayovcra rrporepov elra \ievroi era rrjv P-^XW
dappovcra 2 axjrrep odv rte^payp.evr] re Kal wrrXia-
p,evrj Trapayiverai. to Be atnov, to irfiyavov rrpos
,o<f>w eyfiiorov iortv.

15. e Xvkos epbrrX7]uBels is Kopov ovS' dv rov
fipaxtarov to Xoittov diroyevaairo' rraparelverai 3
p,ev yap rj yaorrjp TaiSe, olBalvei 4 " Be rj yXcorra,
Kal to urop,a ip,<f>pdywrat, } irpaoraros Be ivrvxew

1 ak&vai on yap cnrovBaoBijoopTai koX otSe merzvovoi kal rfj
226

ON ANIMALS, IV. .13-15

13. Partridges that utter clear, musical tones are- The
confident in their vocal skill. So too the fighting ^ n £ s
birds which compete feel certain that when captured

they will not be regarded as merely fit for sacrifice.
And that is why when caught they struggle less
against their pursuers in order to avoid capture.
But the rest, and especially the Partridges of Cirrha,
conscious that they possess neither strength nor
ability to sing, and knowing full well that if caught
they will furnish a meal for their captors, do their
utmost, prompted by some natural intelligence, to
render themselves unfit for eating. And they ab-
stain from other food which delights and fattens them
and feed most eagerly upon garlic. Hence those
who are already aware of these facts have willingly,
agreed that they should be immune from pursuit.
Whereas a man who has not previously chanced to
hunt them, if he catches and cooks them, has wasted
his time and his pains over them, when he finds their
flesh disgusting.

14. The Marten is an evil creature, and an eviIM"^«"
creature is the Snake. And so when a Marten means

to fight with a Snake, it chews some rue beforehand
and then goes out boldly to battle, as though fortified
and armed. The reason is that to a Snake rue is
utterly abhorrent.

15. The Wolf when gorged to satiety will not there- ^ n Wolf >
after taste the least morsel. For his belly is dis- Jin-fed
tended, his tongue swells, his mouth is blocked, and

he is gentle as a lamb to meet, and would have no

2 dappovaa V, del. H, $ta$appovaa eVi rrjv f*. most MSS.

3 irtpi-. 4 otSdvei H.

227

AELIAN

ionv dfivov BcKTjv, Kal ovk dv eTTifiovXevoeiev 1 rj
dvdpoorrcp rj 6p€fJLfxart 3 ozrBe el rrjs dyeXrjs ^aStfot
fiecros. jjLeiovTCLL Be r)avxr] Kal /car' dXiyov r)
yXcorra avrw } elra is to dpx&iov crj^fj/xa irrdveiai >
Kal Xvkos ylverai adBis.

16. 'AXeKTpvoves iv dyeXrj rov verjXvv 2 dva-
fiaivovcri rrdvres* Kal ol nOacrol Be rrepBtKes rov
rjKOvra wpwrov Kal ovrrco rrerr paver puevov rd avrd

BpCOCTLV. dfJb€L^6fM€V0l Be OC 7Tdp$lK€S TOVS Tp€<f)OV~

ras Kal avrol rraXevovoi rovs d<f>erovs Kal dypiovs,
Kara rds rreptorepds Bpwvres Kal odroi tovto.
rrpoadyerai Be apa 6 rrepBig Kal oeiprjvas is to

£<})0Xk6v 7TpOT€LV€C TO TWV dXXtOV TOV rpOTTOV

tovtov* earrjKev aBcov 3 Kal eanv ol to fieXos
TTpOKXrjTLKov, is p^dx^jv OTrodrjyov rov aypiov,
earrjKe Be iXXo^cov irpos rfj rrdyrj' 6 Be * rcov
dyplow Kopv<j>aios dvrdcras 7Tp6 rrjs dyeXrjs jiaxov-
pievos epx^rac. 6 roivvv nQacros iirl rroBa dva^aj-
pei, BeBUvai OKiqTTr6p,evos' 6 Be erreioi yavpos,
ota 5 Brjrrov Kparujv rjBrj, Kal edXcoKev evoked els
rfj irdyrj. idv puev ovv rj dpprjv 6 rots drjpdrpois
trepmeowv , 6 rreipQwrai irriKovpeiv ol avvvopuoi tw
iaXcoKorr edv Be rj OrjXvs, rralovat rov ivoxeOevra
dXXos dXXaxoOev, cos Bid rrjv XayveLav is BovXelav
ipmeaovra. Kal iKeivo Be ov Traprfcra), iirel Kal
d£iov aKovaai avro. idv rj OrjXvs d rraXevoov, Iva
jirj ipu7rear) 6 dpprjv, al e^co QrjXeiai fieXos dvrcpBov
rjXOvai, Kal pvovrai rov ipurreaovpLevov is rrjv ird-
yrjv rals ovwopbois Kal rrXeloaw dapuevoys avp^rra-

2 vfyXw ovcrrjs dnoptas.

228

ON ANIMALS, IV. 15-16

designs on man or beast, even were he to walk through
the middle of a flock. Gradually however and little
by little his tongue shrinks and resumes its former
shape, and he becomes once more a wolf.

16. Cockerels all tread a newcomer to the flock, The
and tame Partridges do the same to the latest JjjJ
arrival as yet untamed. And Partridges even requite
their own parents by decoying those that are free and
wild, acting in this respect just like pigeons. Now
this is the way in which the Partridge draws them to
him and displays the arts of a Siren to allure others.
He stands uttering his cry, and his tune conveys a
challenge, provoking the wild bird to fight ; and he
stands in ambush by the springe. Then the cock of
the wild birds answers back and advances to do battle
on behalf of his covey. So the tame bird withdraws,
pretending to be afraid, while the other advances
vaunting as though he were already victorious, is
caught in the snare, and is captured. Now if it is a
cock bird that falls into the trap, his companions
attempt to bring help to the captive ; but if it is a
hen, one here and another there beats the captive for
allowing her lust to bring her into slavery.

And here is a point that I will not omit, for it
deserves attention. If the decoy-bird is a hen, the
wild hens, in order to prevent the cock from falling
into the trap, counter the challenge with their cries
and rescue the cock that is about to be trapped, for
he is glad to stay with those who are his mates and

3 ffiwv 6 irpdos. * 817..

5 Meiske; w$ ota. ® JReiskei 7rapan4va)v.

229

AELIAN

pafievovra, 1 <hs av Xvyyl nvi eXxOevra val p,a AC
ipcoriKfj.

17. "Ev tow ftauKavayv £<pa)v' fievroi Kal exjLvos

6 %€p(ICUOS €imt 7T€7TlO'T€VTai. OTaV yOVV aAlOTO]-

rat, TrapaxpfjfAa eveovprjcre 2 ra> Seppbart, Kal
axp&ov d7T€(f)7]V€V avro' BoKet oe is TToXXd
e7Tirrjheiov . Kal rj Xvy£ Be arroKpVTrTei to ovpov*
orav yap Trayfj, XLOos yiverai, /cat yXv<f>at$ €77tT?j-
Betos eartj /cat rot? yvvaiKelois Koapuois avpbpi(i)(€~
roiy <f>aaw?

18. Aeovro<f>6vov <f>ay<hv 6 Xecov arroredvriKe .
ra Be evrop^a <j>9elperai y el iXalq) ns iyxptveiev
avrd. yvirwv ye [mtjv to fivpov SXeBpos ion.
K&vOapov Be aTToXels, el eirifiaXois rcbv poBwv
avrtd.

19. Kvves *IvBiKoi, 6rjpia Kal olBe elcrl /cat
oXktjv aXKtjj,a Kal ifivx'rjv QvpLoeiheorara /cat twv
iravra-xpSev kvv£>v fj^eyicxroi. Kal tojv p,ev aXXcov
£<pa)V VTTep^povovai, XeovTL Be opiooe ^a>/?e£ kvcov
*IvBikos, Kal eyKelfJuevov vrropbivei, Kal fipvxojpuevq)
avdvXaKrel, /cat avriB&Kvei B&KVovra' /cat -TroAAa
avrov Xvirrfcras /cat KararpcLaas , TeAeuraV rjrrdraL
6 kvcqv. elrj 8' av /cat AeW rjrrr)6els vtto kvvos
'Ivoov, Kal pievroi Kal BaKwv 6 kvo)v e^erai Kal
/xaAa iyKparcbs. Kav irpooeXdcbv ju-a^atpa to
OKeXos a/iroKOTrTTjS rod kvvos, 6 oe ovk ayei
axoXrjv aXyijaas dvewai to Brjypa, dXXd atreKoiTri

1 JReisJce : avvSpafiovra. 2 ivovpiqae.

3 ^aatv Sid -nys yAt^s.

230

ON ANIMALS, IV. 16-19

more numerous, seeming to be drawn by some spell
that is in truth love.

17. The Hedgehog too is believed to be one of the ^ gehog
animals that show spite. Thus, when it is caught it
immediately makes water on its skin, so rendering it

unfit for use, though it is thought to serve many
purposes. The Lynx too hides its urine, for when it The Lynx
hardens it turns to stone a and is suitable for engrav-
ing, and is one of the aids to female adornment, so
they say.

18. If a Lion eats a Lion s-bane,* it dies. And in- ° b ; e o ^
sects are destroyed if one drops oil on them. And to certain
perfumes are the death of Vultures. Beetles you will animals
extirpate if you scatter roses on them.

19. The Hounds of India are. reckoned as wildg^*»
animals; they are exceedingly strong and fierce-
tempered, and are the largest dogs in the world. All

other animals they despise; but an Indian Hound
will engage with a lion and resist its onslaught, bark-
ing against its roar and giving bite for bite. Only
after much worrying and wounding of the lion is the
Hound finally overcome ; and even a lion might be
overcome by an Indian Hound, for once it has bitten,
the Hound holds fast with might and mam. ^ And
even if you take a sword and cut off a Hound's leg,
it has no thought, in spite of its pain, of relaxing its

a The stone known as Xvyyovpiov was perhaps amber. The
word was derived from Auyl and odpov. #

b In [Arist.] Mir. 845 a 28 it appears as a Syrian animal
that was supposed to poison Hons ; to hunters who killed,
cooked, and ate it it was equally fatal; cp. Plin. NH 8. 38.
But L-S* regard it as an insect.

231

AELIAN

fJL€V 7Tp6r€pOV TO CTKeXoS , V€KpO£ Be dvfjKe TO GTOfia,

Kal Ketrac fitaodels dTTOGrrjvai rep Oavdrco. a Be
7rpo(ji^Kov(j a^ epco dXXaxodt.

20. 'AvOptOTTOV fXOVOV KaX KVV05 KOpeG0eVTO)V

dva-rrXet r) rpo<f>rj. Kal rov p,ev dvdpcojrov r)
KapBta tw fiasco rw Xaccp tt poaiqpTqr ai 3 rots ye
firjv dXXots C<*>ots ev pueGcp rq> Grrfiei TTpOGTreTrXa-
arat. yapAjswwxov Be dpa ovSe ev ovre rrlvei
ovre ovpet ovre fMrjv GwayeXd^erai erepois.

21. Qrjplov *1voikov, fiiaiov rrjv dX/cqv 9 2 fxeyeOos
Kara rov Xeovra rov \ieyiGrov 9 rrjv Be XP° av
epvdpov, cos Kiwafidpwov 3 etvai BoKeiv, Baav Be
<L$ Kvves, <f>tavfj rfj 'IvScDv puaprcxopas <hv6p,aGrai.
to rrpoGamov Be KeKTrjTCU roiovrov, cos BoKetv ov
Orjptov rovro ye, aAAa dvQpcoTrov eyew.^ oBovres
Be 5 T/o/crTOt^ot ipbTTeirriyacrw ol dvco avrcp, rpl~
(jtolxoi Be ol Kara), rrjv aKfjurjv o^vraroc, rcov
Kvveiojv eKeivoi p,eL£ovs* rd Be Sra eoiKev dv-
6pd)7rq) Kal ravra, G fielta) Be Kal Bacrea' rovs Be
6<f>9aXp,ovs yXauKos ean, Kal iotKaaiv dvOpamtvois
Kal ofiroi. voBas Be fxoi voei Kal ovvxas olovs etvai
Xeovros. rfj Be ovpa aKpq, 7rpoarjpT7)Tai GKOprrCov
Kevrpov, Kal eiT] dv virep 7rrjxvv rovro } Kal Trap*
eKarepa avrcp r) ovpa Kevrpois BceiXrjTrrar to Be
ovpaiov to aKpov is Qdvarov eKevrqcre rov Trepirv-

1 irpooriKOvaa irepcDS.

2 rrjv aKO-qv koX aXfcrjv L.

3 Kiwafiapiv.

4 drjpiov . . . avBpoiirov opav.

5 jLtef. 6 ravra rijv ye eavrcov irXaow.

232

ON ANIMALS, IV. 19-21

bite, but though its leg has been cut off, only when
dead does it let go and lie still, forced by death to
desist.

What more I have learned I will recount else-
where.

20. Men and Dogs are the only creatures that J^Sf s
belch after they have eaten their fill. A man's heart creatures

is attached to his left breast, but in other creatures
it is fixed in the centre of the thorax. Among
birds of prey there is not one that drinks or makes
water, or even gathers in flocks with others of its
kind.

21. There is in India a wild beast, powerful, daring, ^ tichore
as big as the largest lion, of a red colour like cinnabar,
shaggy like a dog, and in the language of India it is
called Martichoras? Its face however is not that of

a wild beast but of a man, and it has three rows of
teeth set in its upper jaw and three in the lower;
these are exceedingly sharp and larger than the
fangs of a hound. Its ears also resemble a mans,
except that they are larger and shaggy ; its eyes are
blue-grey and they too are like a man's, but its feet
and claws, you must know, are those of a lion. To
the end of its tail is attached the sting of a scorpion,
arid this might be over a cubit in length ; and the tail
has stings at intervals on either side. But the tip of
the tail gives a fatal sting to anyone who encounters

See 8. 1. , . . j j,

b The English form is mantichore. The word is derived from

the Persian mardkhora = ' man-slayer ' ; perhaps a man-eating

tiger.

233

AELIAN

Xovra, Kal Bti<j)9eLpe rrapaxprjfjLa. edv Se tls avrov 1
hiwKTj) 6 Se d(f)lri(ji rd Kevrpa TrXdyta <Ls fteAr), Kal

€(7TC TO C&OV €K7]f$6AoV. Kal £s TOVfXTrpOodeV

orav a7roXvrj ra Kevrpa 3 am/cAa tt]v ovpdv edv Se
i$ TOVTTtaco Kara rovs Safca?, a Se aTTOrdhiqv avrrjv
££aprq. orov 8' dv ro f$Xr)6ev rvxTI> aTTOKreivei'
eXe^avra Se ovk dvaipel fjuovov. rd Se aKovri^o-
Kevrpa TroScaZa ro fj,rjKos eari, a^olvov Se to
ird-xps. Xeyei Se dpa Kmrjcrtas Kal foqow o/xoAo-
yeZv avro) rov$ 'IvSous 1 , ev raZs x c * ) P ac s T ^ )V
diroXvofievajv eKelvow Kevrpa>v vrrava^veoOai dXXa,
ws elvai rod KaKov rovBe eTnyovqv. ^ikrfieZ Se,
<!)$ 6 avrog Aeyet, fxaXiora dvOpcLirovs eoOlojv,
Kal dvaipeZ ye 2 dvQpamovs ttoAXovs, Kal ov Kad*
eva eAAo^a, Svo 3 8* dv €7tl0olto Kal rptoi, Kal
KpareZ ra>v rocrovrcov pi,6vos. Karayoyvlt^erai Se
Kal rwv t,woyv ra Aowra, Xeovra Se ovk dv KadeXot
TTore. on Se Kpecov dvBpamelcov ep,7TiTrXdpLevov
ToSe to £&ov VTreptfSerat, KartyyopeZ koI to
ovofjia' voeZ 4 yap rfj 'EAAt^oov <f*a)vfj 5 dvOpa)-
7Tocj)dyov avro etvai. £k Se rod epyov Kal KeKXrj-
rai. 7ri<f)VK€ Se Kara rrjv eXa<f>ov wkiotos. rd
fip€<j>r} Se rtovBe rcov t,(pojv 'IvSot drjp&oiv d/ceV~
rpovs rd$ ovpa$ ex ovra > KCLL AiQcp ye 6 dia9Xa>crw
avrds, tva dBwarwcrt rd Kevrpa dva</>veiv. <f>a>vr}v
Se aaXrnyyos d>$ on eyyvrdrw Trpoterat. Xeyei
Se Kal iopaKevat 7 ToSe to I^wov ev Yiepuais
K.T7)crLa? e£ 'IvSatv KopuaOev Scopov rep Hepacov
fSaatXet, el 877 rep Ikovos reKfjbrjpLwaai virep rcov

1 avro. 2 SI 3 Kal hvo.

4 MeisJce : roetrat. 5 (f>a>vfj rj ^Ivhcov.

6 ye en* 7 £<opaK€vai.

234

ON ANIMALS, IV. 21

it, and death is immediate. If one pursues the beast
it lets fly its stings, like arrows, sideways, and it can
shoot a great distance; and when it discharges its
stings straight ahead it bends its tail back ; if how-
ever it shoots in a backward direction, as the Sacae a
do, then it stretches its tail to its full extent. Any
creature that the missile hits it kills ; the elephant
alone it does not kill. These stings which it shoots
are a foot long and the thickness of a bulrush. Now
Ctesias asserts (and he says that the Indians confirm
his words) that in the places where those stings have
been let fly others spring up, so that this evil produces
a crop. And according to the same writer the
Mantichore for choice devours human beings ; indeed
it will slaughter a great number ; and it lies in wait
not for a single man but would set upon two or even
three men, and alone overcomes even that number.
All other animals it defeats : the lion alone it can
never bring down. That this creature takes special
delight in gorging human flesh its very name testi-
fies, for in the Greek language it means man-eater,
and its name is derived from its activities. Like the
stag it is extremely swift.

Now the Indians hunt the young of these animals
while they are still without stings in their tails, which
they then crush with a stone to prevent them from
growing stings. The sound of their voice is as near
as possible that of a trumpet.

Ctesias declares that he has actually seen this
animal in Persia (it had been brought from India as
a present to the Persian King)— if Ctesias is to be

« Iranian nomads inhabiting the country SE of the Sea of
Aral between the rivers Jaxartes and Oxus. They , contri-
buted a contingent to the Persian army.

235

AELIAN

roiovrcov Krrjaias, aKovaas ye pufyv rd totd tl$
rovSe rod £a>ov etra fxevroc rep avyypa<f>el red
KvtStaj trpoae^erco.

22. TtKoXoTrevBpa OaXarrla Biapptfyvvrai, cos
(f>aaiv, dvOpcoirov oianrvaavros avrrjs. 1

23. Kaprnv oe Ireas el ns QXifievra BoCrj mew
rots dXoyots, Xvirelrat iKelva ovoe ev, ptaXXov Be
Kat rpecherai* iricbv Be dvOpcoiros rrjv arropdv rrjv
vraihoTrotov re Kai eyKapTtov drrcoXeoe. /cat ptot
BoKet "OfiTjpos Kai rd rrjs <f>vaecos aTropprjra
dvtxvevcras etra fxivrot e Kai treat coXeaiKaprrot 9 iv
rots eavrov pterpots eliretv rovro alvtrropbevos.
Kcoveiov Be dvdpcoTros mcov Kara rrjv rod aiptaros
mjfjlv re Kai iftvgtv drroOvqcrKet, v$ Be Kcoveiov
epuTriirXarat Kai vytatvet.

24. 01 'IvSoi reXetov puev iXecf>avra ovXXafietv
paBtcos dBvvarovotv ^ is Be rd eXr) <f>otrtovres rd
yetrvtcovra rco TToraptco etra ptevrot Xapufiavovotv
avrcov rd ppe<f>rj. dotrd^erat yap 6 iXe<f>as rd
evBpooa %a)pta Kai ptaXaKa, Kai tfuXet rd vScop,
Kai iv rotoBe rots rjOecn BtairaoOat edeXet, Kai cbs
av emots eXetos ion. Xafiovres odv drraXd Kai
evireiBrj rpe<f>ovat KoXaKela re rfj Kara yacrrepa
Kai Oepairela rfj rrepl rd ocopua Kai tfxovfj dconev-
riKfj (avvtdat yap iXe<f>avres Kai yXcorrrjs dvOpco-
Trivqs rrjs eTTixcopiov) , Kai ovveXovrt, elirelv cos
7ratoas avrovs eKrpecfrovot, Kai KopuBrjv Trpotrd-

1 npoaTrrvGavros avrfj H.

236

ON ANIMALS, IV. 21-24

regarded as a sufficient authority on such matters.
At any rate after hearing of the peculiarities of this
animal, one must pay heed to the historian of Cnidos.

22. The Sea-scolopendra bursts, they say, when a The power
man spits in its face. spittle

23. If one crushes the fruit of a Willow-tree and The wmow
gives it to animals to drink, they suffer no injury at

all, rather they thrive on it. But if a man drinks it,
his semen loses its procreative strength. And I fancy
that Homer had explored the secrets of nature when
he wrote in his verses [Od. 10. 510] ' and willows that
lose their fruit/ and that he was making a cryptic
allusion to this. And if a man drink Hemlock, he dies
from the congealing and chilling of his blood, whereas
a hog can gorge itself with Hemlock and remain in
good health.

24. The Indians have difficulty in capturing a full- ■Jjggj*,
grown Elephant. So they resort to the swamps by a

river and then capture the young ones. For the
Elephant delights in moist places where the ground is
soft, and loves the water, and prefers to pass his time
in these haunts : he is, so to say, a creature of the
swamps. So having caught them while tender and
docile, they look after them, pandering to their
appetites, grooming their bodies, and using soothing
words— for the Elephants understand the speech of
the natives— and, in a word, they foster them like
children and bestow care upon them, instructing

2 afovaroOmv, ovre yap roaavra Spdoovaiv ovre roooihe
-rrapeaovrat.

237

AELIAN

yovow avrois Kal TtacBevpcara irotKtAa. ol Be
ireLQovr at.

25. "Otclv dXorjros Kal arpe<j>covrat irepl rov
Bivov ol fioes, Kal TrerrXripoypLevr] rcov Bpayfxdrcov r)
aAo>s- 77, vnep rov rovs fiovs p>r) a7royevaaaQai
ra>v crraxvcov fioXlrco rds ptvas emxptovaw avra>v,
aofaojxa eTTLvorjaavres rovro Kal pbdXa ye imrrj-
Becov. rovro yap to Cwov puvaarropuevov rr)v
TTpoeiprniivrfv x?^ aiv ^ v TLV0S cL7royevaai.ro,
ovo* el rco j3apvrdrq> At/x<£ me^ovro.

26. Tovs Xaycbs Kal rds dXd>7reKas Orjpwow ol
'IvSol rov rpoTtov rovrov. kvvcov is rrjv dypav
ov Beovrai, dXXa veorrovs ovXXafiovres deratv Kal
KopaKcov Kal iKrivaw itpoaen rpe<f>ovat Kal
eKiraiBevovai rr)v 6r]pav. Kal eon to fidOrjfLa,
TTpdcp Xayw Kal dXd>7T€KL ridaaay Kpeas irpooap-
rcoai, Kal fiediaai, dew, Kal rovs Ppvidas avrois
Kara, rroBas einTTeptAfsavres to Kpeas d<f>eXea9ao
ovyx*wpovcrw . ol Be dvd Kpdros BiwKOVai, koI
eXovres r] tov r] rrjv exovaiv vrrep rov KaraXafieiv
dBXov to Kpeas. Kal rovro p,ev avrois BeXedp
ian Kal /xaAa e^oXKov. ovkovv orav aKpiftcoawai
rrjv ao<f>lav rr)v drjpariK'qv, enl rovs dpelovs Xaycbs
puedidaiv avrovs Kal enl rds dXd)7TeKa$ rds dyplas.
ol Be eXirlBi rov Beiirvov rov crvvrj0ovs 3 . orav n
rovrcuv <f>avf), pieradeovai, Kal alpovaiv a>Kiara,
Kal rots BeoTToracs diro^epovaiv , <h$ Xeyei Krrjaias.
Kal ore virep rov recos TTpoarjprrjfjievov Kpeats
avrois ra GTrXdyxva tow j\prr\\Levuw Belrrvdv 1
ear iv, eKelBev Kal rovro tapiev.

238

ON ANIMALS, IV. 24-26

them in various ways. And the baby Elephants
learn to obey.

25 In the threshing season when the oxen move g-^ ^

™,irin. that it would not toTOh any food, even
SS^tt .ere a~Ued Y»th th. neroest h.nge..

Hare or xo * d havmg sen t the

o 8 , the Fo ? *.v Wvethe » ?= ^

of these animals appears, fly after it, seize it m a
tkee and bring it back to then- masters, as Ctes as
r^'«« And from the same source we learn also
that % I'vltce of the meat which has hitherto been

provide a meal. _,,

to dehrvov.

239

AELIAN

27. Tov ypvira clkovw to i^wov to 'IvSlkov
T€Tpa7Tovv elvai /caret tovs XiovTa$> Kal exeiv
ovvxas KapT€povs w$ on fxdXiara, Kal tovtovs

\L€VTOl TOIS TCOV XeOVTCOV TraparrXrjOLOVS' KaT&7TT€-

pov Se etvat, Kal twv fiev vojTialcov 1 irrep&v ttjv
Xpoav peXawav aSovcrt, rd Se irpooOca ipvOpd
cf>aai, Tag ye firjv irTepvyas avTas ovk4tl TOtavTa$ 3
dXXa XevK&s. ttjv Beprjv Se avTwv Kvavois Biyvdl-
adai toi$ TTTepots KrTjacag toTopei, OTOfxa Se ex €lv
deTwSes Kal rrjv Ke<f>aXrjv oirolav ol )(€LpovpyovvT€s
ypd<j>ovoL re Kal ttX&ttovvi. (frXoycoSets Se tovs
o<f>QaXpiov$ <f>7]orcv avTOv. veOTTids Se em tojv
6pa>v TToieiTai, Kal TeXeiov fxev Xafieiv dSzWroV
eoTi, veoTTovs Se alpovou. Kal Ba/cr/Hoi p,ev
yeiTViwvTes 'loots' Xeyovaiv ovtovs <f>vXaKa$ elvai
tov xpvaov <ro£> 2 avToBi, Kal opVTTeiv re avTov
<f>aaiv avTOvs Kal gk tovtov tcls KaXids vrroTrXe-
Kew, to Se d-rroppeov *lv$ovs Xapufidveiv . 'IvSoi
Se ov <j>aoiv avTOvs <f>povpovs elvai tov Trpoeiprjfie-
vov ^7]Se ydp Beiodai xpvcriov ypvrras {Kal raura
ec Xeyovai, mard efioiye Bokovoi Xeyeiv)- dXXd
avTOvs ftev eVt ttjv tov x? va ' l0V dOpoioriv d^>iKvei~
crOai, tov$ Se vrrep re tcov crfieTepcov fipefitbv
SeSieVat Kal tols emouat /xa^ecr&u. Kal Siayatvi-
£eo6ai fxev 7Tp6s rd aAAa Ja>a Kal KpaTeiv pqoTa,
XiovTi Se purj dvOiOTaoOai p/t)he eXej>avTi* SeStores"
Se dpa TTjv TWvSe twv Srjplcov dXKrjv ol emx^-
piot, ju-e^ 5 rjfjLepav eirl tov xp V(J ov ov OTeXXovTai,
vvktojp Se epxovTar ioUaai ydp TiqviKdhe tov
Katpov XavOdveiv {juaXXov. 6 Se xcapo? ovTog, evda

1 e?vat , . . vamaiW] ra vwra dvai Kal tovtcw tcov.

2 <tov> add, Beiske.

240

' ON ANIMALS, IV. 27

27. I have heard that the Indian animal the ^ phong
Gryphon is a quadruped like a lion ; that it has claws and the gold
of enormous strength and that they resemble those
of a lion. Men commonly report that it is winged
and that the feathers along its back are black, and
those on its front are red, while the actual wings are
neither but are white. And Ctesias records that its
neck is variegated with feathers of a dark blue ; that
it has a beak like an eagle's, and a head too, just as
artists portray it in pictures and sculpture. Its eyes,
he says, are like fire. It builds its lair among
the mountains, and although it is not possible to cap-
ture the full-grown animal, they do take the young
ones. And the people of Bactria, who are neigh-
bours of the Indians, say that the Gryphons guard the
gold in those parts ; that they dig it up and build their
nests with it, and that the Indians carry off any that
falls from them. The Indians however deny that
they guard the aforesaid gold, for the Gryphons have
no need of it (and if that is what they say, then I at
any rate think that they speak the truth), but that
they themselves come to collect the gold, while the
Gryphons fearing for their young ones fight with the
invaders. They engage too with other beasts and
overcome them without difficulty, but they will not
face the lion or the elephant. Accordingly the
natives, dreading the strength of these animals, do
not set out in quest of the gold by day, but arrive by
night, for at that season they are less likely to be
detected. Now the region where the Gryphons live

241

AELIAN

ol re ypvues StatTwrat /cat ra ^pvcytxa 1 eanv,
kp7)fj,os iri(f)VK€ heivws. d<j>tKvovvraL he ot rr)$
v\r)s rrjs 7Tpoecp7]iJLevr)s Orjparal Kara ^tAt'ovs T~e
/cat his Tocrovrovs coTrAtoy^evot, Kal djxas ko/jllCovgi
aaKKovs re, Kal opvrrovacv aaeXr^vov eTriT-^povvres
vvKra. edv p,kv ovv XdOaxyc rovs ypviras, covqvrat
(WAt/v rrjv ovrjow /cat yap oo>£ovtcu Kal jjuevroi
/cat ot/caSe rov <f>6prov KOfjbi^ovoi s Kal ifCKaOypav-
res 2 ot jiaQovres xP vao X oe ^ v 3 vofoa rwl cj<f)erepa
irdiiiroXw ttXovtov virkp ra>v Kivhvvcov e'xovcrt rwv
7TpO€Cp7]fievct)v edv he Kard(f>a)poi yevwvrai, dVo-
Xd)Xacrw. erravipxovrat he es rd ot/ceta <l$
7TVv6dvofjLat St* erovs rpCrov Kal rerdprov.

28. XeX (Jovrjs OaXarrtas aTrorpLrjOetaa rj Ke<f>aXrj 4
PXerrei Kal KarapiveL rrjv X € ^P a Ttpoodyovros- jjhr]
o° dv Kal haKoi, el Trepanepa* irpouaydyois rrjv
Xetpa. /cat eVt fxaKpov iKXapL-rrovras e^et rovs
6<j>6aXixovs m at yap rot Kopat XevKorarai re Kal
7repi<j)aveararaL elm, Kal igatpeOeiaai xp vcr t<i> Kal
opp,oi$ evrlOevrac. kvQev rot Kal hoKovcri rats
yvvaigl Oavfiaarat. yivovrai he d)S rwvQdvop.ai at
XeA&vat atSe ev rfj OaXdrrrj, fjv dhovaiv 'EpvOpdv.

29. f aXeKTpvcbv rrjs (reX^vrjs dviaxovarjs
evOovaia <f>acrt Kal aKLpra. yXios he dvlaxojv ovk
dv rrore avrov hiaXddoi, <hhiK(Lraros he iavrov 5
evri TTjviKahe. TrvvOdvofiai he on dpa Kal rfj

1 BeisJce : ra. ^wpta ra xpvaela.

3 Ges : xpvcrcopvxelv.

4 K€<j>aXT} oihrore OvrfaKti dAAa.

242

ON ANIMALS, IV. 27-29

and where the gold is mined is a dreary wilderness.
And the seekers after the aforesaid substance arrive,
a thousand or two strong, armed and bringing spades
and sacks ; and watching for a moonless night they
begin to dig. Now if they contrive to elude the
Gryphons they reap a double advantage, for they not
only escape with their lives but they also take home
their freight, and when those who have acquired a
special skill in the smelting of gold have refined it,
they possess immense wealth to requite them for the
dangers described above. If however they are
caught in the act, they are lost. And they return
home, I am told, after an interval of three or four
years.

28. The head of a Turtle, after it has been cut off, ^ -j**^
sees and closes its eyes if one brings one's hand near ;

and it would still bite if you brought your hand too
near. It has eyes that flash a long way off, for the
pupils are the purest white and very conspicuous, and
when removed are set in gold and necklaces* For
■ that reason they are greatly admired by women.
These Turtles, I learn, are natives of what is com-
monly called the ' Red Sea/

29. The Cock, they say, at moonrise becomes pos-
sessed and jumps about. Never would a sunrise pass crowing
unnoticed by him, but at that hour he excels himself

in crowing. And I learn that the Cock is the

xeAtovta, tortoise-stone ; an unknown gem. Cp. Plin. HN
37. 10.

243

AELIAN

Atjtoi <f>lXov iariv 6 dXeKrpvtov 1 to opveov. ro
5 e atriov, napecrrr] <f>aalv avrfj rrjv oWAtp re /cat
p.aKapiav d>8tva whivovorj. ravrd roi Kai vvv
rats riKrovaais dXeKrpvdjv irdpeun, kgli SoKet
rrws evwBivas drro^alveiv. rrjs Se opviSos drro-
XwXvlas, eircod^ei avros, Kai e/cAeVet rd ig iavrov
veorna oiodttwv ov yap a$ei rore Savfiaaryj rwi
teal aTropp^rw atria, val fid rov SoKet yap ptoi
wyyivwGKew iavrcp OrjXetas epya Kai ovk dppevos
Spjovrt rrjvtKaBe. fiaxj} 2 <3e> 3 dXeKrpvwv Kai
rfj rrpos aXXov rqrr^Beis dyowla ovk dv aaece 4 ' to
yap rot <f>povrjixa avrcp KarecrraXrat, 5 Kai KaraSve-
rat ye vrro rrjs alSovs. Kpariqaas he yavpos iort,
Kai Vi/javxevet, Kai KvBpovfieva) eoiKe. davfidaac
Se rod £cpov virepdgiov Kai eKelvo hrjirow Ovpav
yap vindjv Kai rrjv dyav vxjjrjXrjv, 6 Be ernKvirreiy
dXa^oveorara Spcbv eKeivos rovro- </>eiSoL yap
rov X6<f>ov Trpdrreiv eotKe to elpypbivov.

30. Ot koXolol Beivcos <f>iXovm to 6{io<j>vXov.
rovro roc Kai Bta<j>delpei avrovs rroXXaKts, Kai ro
ye hpdjjxevov roiovrov eartv, ora) pueXei O-qpaaai
koXolovs, roiavra rraXapbdrat. evQa oTBev avrwv
vofj,d$ Kai rpo<f>d$ Kai dQpoi£op,evov$ 6 pa Kar
dyeXaSy evravda XeKavLhas eXaiov pueards * Biarl-
Srjo-Lv. ovkovv hieihes p,ev ro eXacov, rtepiepyov Be
rd opvlBiov, Kai d<j>t,Kvelrai Kai inl ro ^ctAo? rov
o-Kevovs Kddrjrai, Kai Kvrrrei Kara) Kai opa rrjv
iavrov GKidv, Kai oierai koXoiov fiXe-new aXAov,
Kai KareXdelv rrpds avrov oirevBei. Karecal re

1 6 aXeKTpvaiv del. Cobet* 2 eV fid^j}.

244

ON ANIMALS, IV. 29-30

favourite bird of Leto. The reason is, they say, that
he was at her side when she was so happily brought to
bed of twins. That is why to this very day a Cock
is at hand when women are in travail, and is believed
somehow to promote an easy delivery.

If the Hen dies the Cock himself sits on the eggs
and hatches his own eggs in silence, for then for some
strange and inexplicable reason, I must say, he does
not crow. I fancy that he is conscious that he is then
doing the work of a female and not. of a male.

A Cock that has been defeated in battle and in a
struggle with another will not crow, for his spirit is
depressed and he hides himself in shame. On the
other hand if he is victorious, he is proud and holds his
head high and appears exultant. Here too is a most
astonishing trait, I think. As he passes beneath a
doorway, no matter how high, the Cock lowers his
head— a most pretentious action, done apparently
to protect his comb.

30. Jackdaws are devoted to their own species ; Tta^
and this it is that often causes their destruction. And
it happens in this way. The man who intends to
hunt Jackdaws adopts the following plan. In the how caught
place where he knows that they feed and where he
sees them gathering in flocks he arranges basins full
of oil. Now the oil is transparent and the bird is in-
quisitive, and it comes and perches on the rim of the
vessel, bends down, and sees its own reflexion, and
supposing it to be another Jackdaw, makes haste to
go down to it. So it descends, naps its wings, and

3 <8e> add. Beishe.

6 KariuroXrai /cat /xe/LieiWat.

AELIAN

ow km mepvaoenu » K al mpipdXXei to iXatov
avrcp, K ai avawrepvyhai 3 Tj/cto-roV ion, Kal
Xyis ow™™ K al Trdyrjs Kal dpweBovcov t6 Z&ov
fievei cvs dv elvois neireSrip,ii/ov.

31 '0 iXtyas, oi p.h> avrov npoKvnreiv yavXco-
bovras fajw, oi Si K ipara. i X ec Si K al K a6'
eKOOTOv noSa SaKTlSXovs ireVre, iirofavovras uh>
ras aefvoeis, w pty SceoTcoras. ravrd rot Ka l
v^KTiKos «nw -QKtara. o K 4Xr, Si ra Kar6mv rcov
wpoo0uw*Bpa X 4repd ion- patol Si airto n P 6s
raw (laaxaAais elcrt- p,vKrrjpa Si KeKTTjrai X eipos
TraYXpjTr&repov Kal yXwrrav Ppa X euiv voA™ .Si
avroy exeiv ov Kara. t6 frap dXXd irpds tw ivripco 5
fan. kvw Si Trvridvo/jLai SJo Zt&v t6v iXtyav+a.
oi be ov roaovrov XP 6vov, aXXd AennKalSeKa
Hycav opoAoyovrnv. dworiKrei Si lorjXiKa to
pcyeBos n6<J X a> iviavoUp, otto. Si rrjs e-nXSs t&
OToptm. evdovaicZv Si is oicrrpa, re J>Xey6-

p-evo S € p,TUTTTe<, joi X o> Kal dvarpivei, ical fa vlKas
KMvei, to fxercoTTOv Trpoaaparrriov Kara, rovs
K P l ° v l- m rJ>e ov ScecSis ovSi KaBapdv,

aAA orav vnoeoXuor) re Kal tororapdftj. KaOe^Sei
yeji V v opOooraS-qv KaTOKAivrjvai ydp Kal igava-
orr, V ai epy&Ses airy, forf Si iXUavn iM-
Kovra err,/ Sta-mW Si t6v fiiov koI is SiitXL
eKarovraSa. K p V( i$ Si dfuXdv -qkiotSs ion?

1 JaC : 7r€pCTTTVGO€Tai.

2 Ges : avro.

4 Ges : ra vpoadia rwv Karomv,
246

ON ANIMALS, IV. 30-31

scatters the oil all over itself. Being quite unable to
fly up again the bird remains, so to speak, fettered,
though neither net nor trap nor snare is there.

31. The Elephant has what some call protrutog
tusks what others call horns. On each toot ne nas its anat0 my
five toes; their growth is just visible although they and Habits
are not separate ; and that is why he is ill-adapted for
swimming. His hind legs are shorter than his fore-
legs ; his paps are close to his armpits : he has a
proboscis which is far more serviceable than a hand,
and his tongue is short ; his gall-bladder is said to be
not near the liver but close to the intestines. I am
informed that the duration of the Elephant s preg-
nancy is two years, although others maintain that it
is not so long, but only eighteen months. It bears a
young one as big as a one-year-old calf, which pulls
at the dug with its mouth. When it is possessed with .
a desire to copulate and is burning with passion, it
will dash at a wall and overturn it, will bend palm-
trees by butting its forehead against them, as rams
do. It drinks water not when clear and pure but
when it has dirtied and stirred it up a little. But it
sleeps standing upright, for it finds the act of lying
down and of rising troublesome. The Elephant
reaches its prime at the age of sixty, though its lite
extends to two hundred years. But it cannot endure
cold.

5 Camper : arepvu>. f

1 The sentence KpvpQ . . . icrn appears ^Jhe MSS between
*nj and fcarava; transposed by H {Hermes 11. 233).

247

AELIAN

32 . IlpopaTctav Si IvSwv oWat fiadeiv
ras alyas Kal ras oh ovcov t&v p.eylurwv ^ovas
clkovco Kal aTTOKvecv rirrapa eKdorrjv uetVye
fxy rthv rpi&v oUr* a% 'IvSuci) aSr* 6\v oh mm
re/cot. /cat rots [liv <Trpofidrois at ovpal tt P 6? rov
rroba Ttravrai, at Si atyes floras € X ovocv 3
war €7Tt^av€iv yfjs oXtyov. ra>v p,iv odv oi&v
twv rcKTetv dyaQwv ajroKoTTTOvoi ras ovpds ol
voxels, tva dvafiaivwrai, £ K Si rrjs iri^Xris rrjs
tovtojv K at eXaiov iiroOXifiovw rwv Si dppivwv
SiartiLvovoi rds ovpds, Kal ifacpovoc t6 ariap
K<u emppairrmm, Kal ivovrai irdXiv i rout, K al
a<pavi£€Tai ra \yyq ^vrijs,

33. 'AX^avSpos 6 MJvStos t6v X ^iX4ovra
M)7T€iv rovs ofets Kal dcrcrla mptfdXXew rov
rpo m v tovtov fam. Kdpfos irXarv Kal orepeov

f#*KW ZO.VTOV ilTlOTpifa, Kal dvTl<7Tp6<7C07T0S

l T° a % XW P €t T $ ™ A ^V* 6 Si avrov XaBi-
odai aSvvarel, rov Kdp<f>ov S rd rrXdros ovk Sy W v-
irepi X avelv ohcovv dSecnvos t6 ye hf i K Xco
imeio ofvs- SaKva>v ydp roi rd Xonrd ra>v aeXcbu
avrov ovSev ^avvTec arepedv ydp rvjp faplvw
%ti ^ €7Tai ' eL ™ V €K€[v0V o x^Xiojv

OVO€ €V.

34. '0 av X fy 6 rov Xeovros <?f doriov 2 ovvi-

OT7]K€V } OV flty i K CT^OVS^XOJV TToXXwV. el Sd Ttff

ra oorra rov Xiovros StaicoVrot, -rrvp avr&v i£dX-
Xeraj,. fMJeXovsSiovKfyzc ovSi ydp i m KocXa
avAa>v Sucqv. p,t£ea>s Si avrdv ovStfita irovs
^ 1 ofi6a€ del H (1876).

ON ANIMALS, IV. 32-34

32. It is worth while learning the nature of the The Goats
flocks that belong to the Indians. I have heard that of India
their Goats and their Sheep are larger than the.
largest asses, and that each one gives birth to
quadruplets; anyhow no Goat or Sheep m India
would ever give birth to less than three at a time.
The Sheep have tails reaching down to their teet,
while the Goats have tails of such length as all but
touch the ground. The shepherds cut off the tails
of the ewes which are good for breeding so that the
rams may mount them, and they press oil out of the
fat contained in them. In the rams tails also they
make an incision and extract the fat and sew them
up again. And the cut joins up once more and all
traces of it disappear.

33. Alexander of Myndus declares that the
Chameleon annoys snakes and makes them go hungry and sn akes
in this way. Taking in its teeth apiece of wood,broad

and solid, it turns about and goes to face its enemy.
But the Snake is unable to seize it as its jaws cannot
compass the width of the wood; and so the Snake
goes without a meal as far as the Chameleon is con-
cerned, for although it may bite the rest of itf body
it gains nothing, since the Chameleon has a solid hide
and cares not at all for the fangs of the Snake.

34. The neck of a Lion consists of a single bone The Hon
and not of a number of vertebrae. And if a man cuts
through the bones of a Lion fire leaps forth, tfut

they are devoid of marrow, nor are they hollow like
tubes. There is no season of the year m which it

Jac : oareW.

249

AELIAN

dvacrreXXei c5/)a. Kvei Be dpa 1 p^voyv Bvo.
riKrec Be 2 Trevr&Kis, Kal rfj p,ev <I>Bivi rfj irpcorr)
rrevre, rfj Be Bevrepa rerrapa, rpia re (rfj} errl
ravrrj, Kal Bvo <t£> 3 e-n eKeCvr), Kal ev errl
Trdaais. ol Be GKvpuvoi dpriyevets puKpot re elat
Kal rv(f>Xol Kara ra GKvXaKLa- fiaBtaetos Be
VTrdpxovrai, orav Bvo purjvas drro yeveas Biaj3ia>-
criv* 6 Xoyos Be, darts Xeyei Bia^aivew avrovs
ras inqrpas, pLvQos iari. Xipbcorrcov puev ovv Xea>v
ivrvxeiv xa^TTOS eon, KopeaOels Be rrpaoraros-
<f>aal Be Kal <f>iXo7ralar7}v eivat riqviKdBe avrov.
<f>vyoi 5 Be ovk dv wore ra, vwra rpetfras Xeo)v }
rjovxfj Be errl iroBa dvaxcopet fHXeTrcov avrlos*
rov yqpoj? Be vrrapxopLevov errl rd avXia epxerai
Kai errl ras KaXvftas Kal eirl ras oiKijoreis rag rwv
vopewv ras vrrdvrpovs, Kal eiKorcos' rats yap
opeiois en Srjpais eTTidappeiv dBvvaros eari, rrvp
Be oppcoBeT. ogtl$ pukv odv eariv avra>v yvporepos
Kai arvvevTpapLjJLevos Kal rr\v ^amp Xacruorepos,
dOvfiorepos re Kal droXpuorepos BoKei pbdXXov 6
Be prfKOVs 7 ed rfKOiv Kal evdvrevr}s rrjv rpixa
dvBpetorepos Trerriorevrai Kal Qvpboetoeorepos .
dBy]<f>dyos Be wv Kal oXa <j>aol fieXrj fipvKOJv dv
Karairtoi. rovroyv ovv ttertXy]p(xipuevos Kal rpiatv
irjp,epd)v ovk eo6Ui rroXXaKis, ear dv viravaXcoOfj
ra TTp&rd ol Kal 7re<f>0fj. rrivei Be oXiya*

35. c fiovs 6 rrpdos rov irXiqrrovros Kal KoXd-
Covros ovk dv irore Xrjdirjv Xdpoi, dAA' d-Trofxvrjadels 8

1 Jac : dvd. 2 Se /cat.

3 <t£> . . <t#> add. H.

4 Btafiiaxjr} ra rov Xeovros fip<£<f>T].

250

ON ANIMALS, IV. 3 4~35

abstains from coupling, and the Lioness is pregnant
for two months. Five times does she give birth, at
the first birth to five cubs, at the second to four, after
that to three, after that to two> and finally to one.
The cubs when new-born are small and, like puppies,
blind, and they begin to walk when they have com-
pleted two months from birth. But the account which
says that they scratch through the womb is a fable.
To encounter a Lion when famished is dangerous,
but when he has eaten his fill he is extremely gentle ;
they even say that at that time he is playful. A Lion
will never turn his back and flee, but withdraws,
looking you straight in the face, and by degrees.
But when he begins to age he visits folds and huts
and spots where shepherds lodge in caves; which, is
to be expected, because he no longer has the spirit
for hunting on the mountains. He has a horror of fire.
Any Lion that inclines to roundness and a compact
figure, and that has too shaggy a mane, appears to be
lacking in spirit and daring ; whereas the beast that
attains a good length and has a straight mane is re-
garded as bolder and fiercer. Possessing a ravenous
appetite he will, they say, devour and swallow whole
limbs. So when he has taken his fill of them he will
often not eat for the space of three days until his
former meal has been gradually absorbed and
digested. He drinks but little.

35. A domesticated Ox will never forget the man geOx and
who strikes and chastises him, but he remembers and
* See 5. 39, .

5 Kal (j>vyot. 8 avrCos Kal emfipaxv.

7 els m«os, 8 vTTopvqodeis.

251

AELIAN

TCfMopetrai Kal hiaorrjpiaros iyyevofievov. cov puev
yap V7to ^evyXrjv Kal rporrov nvd KaOeipy/xivos ,
eoiK€ SecrfAwrr} Kal rjovxdCer orav Se afeOfj,
rroXXaKts <jLi€V> x rep OKeXei iraloas Gvvirptxfse
fxeXos 2 n rod fiovKoXov, noXXaKts Se Kal dvpcoQels
e$ Kepas elra ifiTreawv arteKrewev avrov. ivrevdev
irpos rovs aXXovs irpaos ion, Kal rtdpeiow e$ to
avXiov rjovxfj- ov yap eanv avrjpLepos 7rpd$ ov$
ovk e^et rov Bvfxov ty)v vmodecrw.

36. e H rwv *Iv§a)v yrj, <f>aalv avrr)v oi crvy-
ypa<f>et$ 7ToXv<j>dpp,aKov re Kal rcov pXaarrjfxdrayv
rwvBe Setvajg TroXvyovov thai. Kal ra puev acL^eiv
avrwv Kal €K ri2v klvSvvwv pveaBai rovs vtto rwv
SaKerwv dfxov rep Oavdrcp ovra$ (-rroXXa Se eWfo
roiavra), rd Se aTroXXvvat, Kal $ia<f>6eLpew o^vrara,
Svrrep odv z Kal ro e/c rov o<j>ea)s {rod tropefivpov}*
ywopevov eirj av. eon Be dpa o3ro$ 6 ocf>cs Kara
omdapjr\v ro ilt)ko$ oaa ISetv xpoav he eoiKe
7rop<j>vpa rrj paOvrdrrj. XevKr)v he Ke<f>aXrjv Kal
ovKert 7Top<f>vpav Trepcrjyovvrai avrov, XevKrjv he
ovx <h$ drteiv ertos, aAAa /cat ^toVoy eneKeiva Kal
yaXaKros? ohovrwv he dyovos eanv 6 6<j>is
ovros' evploKerai S* iv rots Trvpo^heardroLs rrjs
'IvSt/c^y xaj/otots-. Kal BaKveiv fiev -qKtaros eWt,
/cat Kara ye rovro <f>alr)s av riOaaov avrov etvat
Kal TTpdov ov 8° av Karefxeoj), <l$ aKovay, r)
dv6pd)7rov rtvog rj Oyptov, rovhe ro p,eXo$ Staaa-
rrrjvaL dvdyKrj rrav. ovkovv drjpaOevra avrov e/c
rov ovpaiov p,ipov$ egaprwoi, Kal ola eiKos Kar<o

1 <> e V> add, H.

252

2 Wytt : pipes.

ON ANIMALS, IV. 35-36

takes his revenge even after a long interval. For
being under the yoke and in a certain degree con-
fined, he is like a prisoner and keeps still ; but when
he is let out he has often kicked and broken some
limb of his herdsman; often too he has put passion
into his horns and has fallen upon a man and killed
him. After that he is gentle to others and goes
quietly to the fold, for he is not savage towards those
against whom he has no ground for anger.

36. Historians say that India is rich in drugs and |k^p le
remarkably prolific of medicinal plants, of which some, Ma
save life and rescue from danger men who have been
brought to death's door through the bites of noxious
creatures (and there are many such in India) ; while
other drugs are swift to kill and destroy ; and to this
class might be assigned the drug which comes from
the Purple Snake* Now this snake appears to be a
span long ; its colour is like the deepest purple, but
its head they describe as white and not purple, and
not just white, but whiter even than snow or milk.
But this snake has no fangs and is found in the hottest
regions of India, and though it is quite incapable of
biting— for which reason you might pronounce it to
be tame and gentle— yet if it vomits upon anyone (so
I am told), be it man or animal, the entire limb
inevitably putrefies. Therefore when caught men
hang it up by the tail, and naturally it has its head
hanging down, looking at the ground. And below
the creature's mouth they place a bronze vessel, into

3 c5v ovv {or iv)7rep.

4 <(tov iropfopody add- Jac*

5 yaXaKTOS TfXiov MvKrjv.

253

AELIAN

rr)v K€<f>aXr)v e)(€i, Kal is yrjv opd' vn avro Se to
GTOfAa 1 rov drjpos dyyeiov ri rtOiaai rrerroi'qp^evov
X<xAkov. Kal 2 Swx rov aropbaros orayoves eKeivco 3
Xelfiovrat, is. rovro, Kal to Karapptvoav ovvLoraral
re Kal 7rr]yvvrai } Kal ipets IScbv dpLvySaXrjs SaKpvov
etrat. Kal 6 fiev aTroBvYjOKei 6 6(f>is, v<f>aipovoc
Se to GKevos, Kal TrpoGTiQiaoiv 4 aAAo, ^aA/cow
/cat e/cetvo* veKpov Se e/cpet irahiv vypos tx^P* 5
Kal eoiKev vhan. rpcajv Se rjfjiepcov eakrt/ Kal
avvLararai fxdvroc Kal ovros. etrj S' 6 av apu-
<()olv 7 OLa(f>opa Kara rr)v yjpoav* r) piev yap Beivcos
ion pLeXawa } r) Se rjXeKTpq) et/caoTat. ovkovv
rovrov piev el Soirjs rtvl ooov orjcrdpLOV p,iye9os
ipcfiaXcov 8 is otvov r) is crirlov, rrp&rov piev avrov
airacrpbos 7T€piXrj^serai Kal pbdXa lo^vpos, etra
hiaarpi^ovrat ol ra) o^daXpuw, 6 Se iyK€<f>aXos
Sid rwv ptvwv KaroXiaOdvei 9 Aet/Jd/xevos*, 10 Kal
aTroOvrjGKei Kal p,dXa otKrtora- 11 idv Se eXarrov
Xdfirj rov </>appLaKov, a<f>VKra puev avrw to 12
ivrevQiv ion, yjpovtp Se dttoKkorat. idv Se rov
pueXavos opi^rjs, orrep ovv Karippevae reOvecoros,
oaov 13 orjoapbov Kal rovro pbeye6os 3 vttottuos
ylverat, Kal (f>86r) KaraXapifidvei rov Xafiovra, Kal
iviavrov dvaXloKerav rrjKeSovc 7roAAot Se /cat is
ert] Svo TrporjXQov, Kara piiKpd dTToOvrjoKovres .

37. f H orpovBos r) pbeydXr) <hd piev dirortKrei
TToXXd, ov rrdvra Se e/cyAu^et, 14 dAAa airoKpivei rd
dyova, rots Se iyKapirois iircpd^ei. Kal e/c piev

1 avra> Be to) arofxari. 2 koI at.

6 i%oip odros. 6 Jac : 17 5*.

254

ON ANIMALS, IV. 36-37

which there ooze drops from its mouth; and the
liquid sets and congeals, and if you saw it you would
say that it was gum from an almond-tree. So when
the snake is dead they remove the vessel and sub-
stitute another, also of bronze ; and again from the
dead body there flows a liquid serum which looks like
water. This they leave for three days, arid it too
sets ; but there will be a difference in colour between
the two, for the latter is a deep black and the former
the colour of amber. Now if you give a man a piece
of this no bigger than a sesame seed, dropping it into
his wine or his food, first he will be seized with con-
vulsions of the utmost violence ; next, his eyes squint
and his brain dissolves and drips through his nostrils,
and he dies a most pitiable death. And if he takes a
smaller dose of the poison, there is no escape for him
hereafter, for in time he dies. If however you
administer some of the black matter which has flowed
from the snake when dead, again a piece the size of a
sesame seed, the man's body begins to suppurate, a
wasting sickness overtakes him, and within a year he
is carried off by consumption. But there are many
whose lives have been prolonged for as much as two
years, while little by little they died.

37. Although the Ostrich lays a number of eggs it 1
does not hatch all of them but sets aside the sterile
ones and sits upon those that are fertile ; and from

8 Sckn : &<f>€\a>v /cat eftjSaAcuv.

9 /caToAioflatvei.

10 Reiske : dXifiofxevos. x

11 Kal otnTtora fi*v aAAa wKiara, ■

13 K al. 18 etvac. 14 rpe^et.

255

AELIAN

rovrojv rovs veorrovs i^eXetfjev, €K€tva Be ra
iK</>avXia6evra rovrois rpocj>r}v ixaparLB-qaiv , et
Be avrrjv Bicokol ns, r) Be ovk emroXp^a rfj Trrrjoet,
9ei Be rds rrrepvyas aTrXcoaacra' el Be dXiaKeaOat
fjueXAoi, roug" rrapartiTtrovras XiBovs is rovTriaoj
a<f>evBova rots ttouLv,

38. Ot arpovOol ol opuKpol oruveiBores iavrots
duBeveiav Bid (TfxiKp6ry]Ta rod awpiaros, irrl rocs
aKpepuooi rwv /cAaScov rols <f>epeiv avrovs Bvvap,e-
vois rds veorrtds ovpLirXdaavres elra \ievroi rrjv ix
r<hv Orjparajv €7Tij3ovX7jv ojs rd 7roXXd Bia<f>evyovotv
irnfirjvai rep 1 fcAaSt pur) Bvvapievojv* ov yap
avrovs <j>ipei Bid XeTrrorrjra.

39. At Be dXd>7T€K€S is VTrepfioXrjv TTporjKovoai
travovpylas Kal rporrov BoXepov orav Qedaojvrau
cr<f>r]Kidv €vd€V0Vfx4vr]v 3 2 avral 3 pbev diroarpe^ovrai
rov ^pa/xov eKvevovaai Kal ras e/c row Kevrpow
rpojaeis <f>vXarropi€vac- KaOtdcrt Be rfjv ovpdv
Baourdrrjv re ovaav Kal \x/t]Kiory]v rrjv avrrjv Kal
Biaaeiovai rovs ol Be TTpooe-^ovrat, ra>
rwv rpvxpsv Bdoei. orav Be ipbTTaXa^BaiGiv 4 avrq>,
rrpouapdrrovoi rrjv ovpdv ff BevBpoj rj reiyltp 5
77 alp,acria* iraiopLevoi Be ol a<j>T]Kes drrodvrjQKovaiv .
elra rjXOov eirl rov avrov ronov, Kal rovs Xolttovs
TrpoaavaXe^aaai Kal aTTOKreivaoai Kara rovs
7Tpojrovs, orav ivvorjoojoi Xoittov elpnjvrjv etvai Kal
drrd rcbv Kevrpow iXevOeplav, KaOrjKav ro arofia
Kal rd a^yqKia io9iovai 3 purjre Oopvfiovpievai ynqre
p,rjv rd Kevrpa v<f>opojfjievai.

256

ON ANIMALS, IV. 37-39

these it hatches its young, giving them the other,
rejected eggs to eat. And if one chases the Ostrich
it does not venture to fly but spreads its wings and
runs. And if it is in danger of being captured it slings
the stones that come in its way. backwards with its
feet.

38. Sparrows, conscious that their weakness is The Sparrow
due to the small size of their bodies, build their nests

upon those twigs of branches which are strong
enough to support them, and so generally escape the
machinations of bird-catchers who cannot climb the
branch : it is too slender to bear them.

39. Foxes pass an Dounds in their mischievousness ^eFox^
and trickery. When they observe a thriving Wasps'

nest they turn their back upon it and avoid the hole
so as to protect themselves from being stung. But
their tail, which is very bushy and long, they let
down into the hole and shake up the Wasps. And
these fasten on the thick hairs. But when they are
entangled in them the Foxes beat their tail against a
tree or fence or stone wall, and the Wasps are lulled
by the blows. Then the Foxes return to the same
spot, collect the remaining Wasps, and kill them as
they did the first lot. When they know that they
will have peace and be free from stings they put down
their heads and eat up the combs, with nothing to
disturb them and no need to look out for stings.

1 Schn : T77.

2 evd-qv- MSS always.

3 Reiske : a$rat.

4 avanXaadaxTLV MSS, ifiwhact- J ac,
6 rct^tV & (1875). rotxcp.

VOL. I.

257

K

AELIAN

40. Kwos* KpavLov pa<f>r)v ovk Bpaptwv Be
em rrXiov Xdyvrjs ytverat, <j>acriJ- kvvos Be yrjpcov-
ros ajjifiAeTs ot oBovres Kal p,eXaivovrat . evptvos
Bi eartv ovtoos cos p/rpror dv otttov Kvvetov
Kpicos p/qB* 2 av KapvKela rfj 7rotKtXa)rdrrj Kal
BoXepwrdrrj KarayorjrevOivros yevcracrOat. rpets
Be dpa voaoi kvvl aTTOKeKXijpajvraL Kal ov rrXelovs,
Kvvdyyy) Xvrra iroBdypa* avQpdiTrots ye ptrjv
puvplai. irav Be 6 n av v-rro kvvos Xvrrwvros
BrjxOyj, rovro d7rodvr)aK€i. kvow Be noBayprjaas ,
airavlws dvappojcrOivra otpet avrov. kvvl Be fiLos
6 ptrjKtaros TeaaapevKatBeKa err}. "Apyo$ Be 6
'OBvacreoos Kal rj wept avrov laropia eotKe rraiBia
'Optfjpov elvat.

41. 'Vivos opvLOcov 'IvBikcov ppaxvrdrwv Kal
rovro ei7] dv. iv rots- ndyots rots v*frrjXoi$ veor-
revet Kal rats irirpaLS rats KaXovpivats XeTTpats?
Kal eart ro piyeSos rd opvvtpta oaovrrep d>6v
iripBiKos' oravBapaKLV7]v Bi ptot voet rr)v XP^ av
avrwv. Kal 'IvBol p,ev avro <f)covfj rfj G<j>eripa
BtKatpov <f>tXovcrtv ovoptdCetv, "JZXXrjves Be <I>s
aKova) BiKatov. rovrov ro dTT07rdrrjpa ei rxs
Xdfiot oaov Kiyxpov piyeQos XvOev 4 ev rw
7Twptart } o oe° es eauepav airevavev. eoiKe be o.
Bdvaros vttvoo Kal pdXa ye rjBet Kal dvwBvvcp Kal
otov ol 'rrotrjral XvoipeXr) <j>tXovGiv 6vopd£etv rj
dfiXyxpov ei7] yap dv Kal odros eXevOepos oBvvrjs
Kal rots Beoptivots Btd ravra rjBtcrros. o-ttovBt)v

1 (f>aol fiaXXov. 2 fiyr*.

3 XvrroXs MSS, Atac- Schn.

4 €io$ev conj, Jac; <yp. Ctes. ap. Phot. Bill, 47 a . 30.

258

ON ANIMALS, IV. 40-41

40. A Dogs skull has no suture. Running, they The Dog
say, makes a Dog more lustful. In old age a Dog's
teeth are blunt and turn black. He is so keen-
scented that he will never touch the roasted flesh of a

dog, be it bewitched by the subtlest and craftiest of
rich sauces. Now there are three diseases which fall
to the lot of a Dog and no more, viz. dog-quinsy,
rabies, and gout, while mankind has an infinite
number. Everything that is bitten by a mad Dog
dies. If a Dog once gets gout you will hardly see him
recover his strength. The life of a Dog at its longest
is fourteen years ; so Argus, the dog of Odysseus, and
the story about him [Od. 7. 291] look like a playful
tale of Homer s.

41. The following species of bird belongs to the jaje^
very smallest of those in India. They build their (dm ^
nests on high mountains and among what are called beetle)

< rU gged * rocks. These tiny birds are the size of a
partridge's egg, and you must know that they are
orange-coloured. The Indians are accustomed to
call the bird in their language dikairon? but the
Greeks, so I am informed, dikaion. If a man take of
its droppings a quantity the size of a millet-seed dis-
solved in his drink, he is dead by the evening. But
his death is like a very pleasant and painless ^ sleep,
and such as poets are fond of describing as * limb-
relaxing ' and ' gentle.' For death too may be free
from pain, and for that reason most welcome to those

' The " bird " was the Dung-beetle, Scardbaeus sacer . . .
the " dung " was probably ... a resinous preparation of
Indian hemp 5 (Thompson, Gk. birds, s.v.).

5 etra.

259

AELIAN

Be dpa rrjv dvwrdrw rlBevrai 'IvSot is rrjv
Krijcrw avrov • KaKCOV yap avro i7TiX7]9ov rjyovvrat
ra> ovrt' Kal odv Kal ev rots Bojpots rots fxeya
npLiois rep Uepaojv fiaoiXe? 6 9 IvBa)v irepmei Kal
rovro. 6 Be Kal rcov aXAa>v amdvrwv tt por ip,a
Xaficbv Kal aTToOrjaavplCet KaKcbv dvidroyv dvrc-
7raX6v re Kal dpLvvrrfpiov , el dvdyKV) KaraXdfioi.
ovkovv ovBe tis ev Uepaacs avro aXAos, on

pur) fiaaiXevs re avros Kal p,tfrr)p r\ fiaaiXews* Kal
Bed ravra dvrtKptvovres jSaaavtaajftev row $ap\id-
kcov rov re 'IvBckov Kal rod Alyvrrrlov 6-n-orepov
rjv 7rporip,6r€pov errel ro fiev i<f> 9 rjpLepav 1
dveipye 2 re Kal aveareXXe ra BaKpva ro Alyv-
Ttnov, to Be XrjOrjv KaKtov TTapeZ'xev alwviov ro
'IvSt/coV* Kal ro fiev yvvaiKos Bwpov rjv, ro Be
opviOos rj dTTOpprjrov </>vcreojs Beapicbv rcbv ovrojs
fiapvrdrcov diToXvovarjs Be* V7rrjperov rod irpoei-
pt)\ievov. Kal 'IvSous* KriqaaaSaL avro evrv^iqaav-
ras 3 z ojs rrjs evravBot <j>povpas dTroXvBfjvai orav
iOeXajGW.

42. ( opVL$ 6 drrayds (pLep,vi]rai Be Kal
' Apicrro(f)dv7]s avrov iv "Opvtcrt, rq> Bpdjxart),
odrqs roi ro iBiov ovojia adevei <f>a>vrj ipdeyyerai
Kal avapbiXTrei avro. Xeyovai Be Kal ras KaXovpbi-
vas fieXeaypiBas ro avro Brj-n-ov Bpav rovro y Kal
or i MeXedypw rep Olveojs Trpoa^Kovat Kara yevos
fxaprvpetaOai Kal fxdXa evaroftws. Xeyei Be. 6
[av9os, oaat r^aav ot/cetat ra> OlvelBr] veavla,
ravras eg BaKpvd re aa^era Kal TrevOos drXrjrov

1 rffiepav avrtfu. 2 avelx*-

3 €VTVxqaavrds (*j>amvy Warmington,

26o

ON ANIMALS, IV. 41-42

who desire it. The Indians accordingly do their ut-
most to obtain possession of it, for they regard it as
in fact ' causing them to forget their troubles * [Horn.
Od. 4. 221]. And so the Indian King includes this
also among the costly presents which he sends to the
Persian King, who receives it and values it above all
the rest and stores it away, to counteract and to
remedy ills past curing, should necessity arise. But
there is not another soul in Persia save the King and
the King's mother who possesses it. So let us com-
pare the Indian and Egyptian drug a and see which
of the two was to be preferred. On the one hand
the Egyptian drug repelled and suppressed sorrow
for a day, whereas the Indian drug caused a man to
forget his troubles for ever. The former was the gift
of a woman, the latter of a bird or else of Nature,
which mysteriously releases men from a truly
intolerable bondage through the aforesaid agency.
And the Indians are fortunate in possessing it so that
they can free themselves from this world's prison
whenever they wish.

42. The bird called ' Francolin ' (Aristophanes |^ colin
mentions it in his comedy of the Birds [249, etc.]) pro- ranco m
claims and sings its own name as loudly as it can.
And they say that Guinea-fowls', as they are called, £J» Guinea "
do the same and testify to their kinship with
Meleager the son of Oeneus in the clearest tones.
The legend goes that all the women who were related
to the son of Oeneus dissolved into unassuageable
tears and sorrow past bearing, and mourned for him

a In Horn. Od: 4. 219-32 Helen mixes a drug, thought to
have been opium in some form, in the "wine of Telemachus to
make him forget his sorrow for his father.

261

AELIAN

€K7T€a€LP Kal 8p7jVeXv, OvBeV Tl Tf}S XvTTTjS CLKOS

rrpoaie(xevas > olktco Be apa rwv 6ea>v is ravra rd
£<pa dfieliff at to elBos. rats Be I'vBaXfxd re Kal
andpfia rov rore rrivOovs evraKrjvcu, Kal is vvv
en lAeXeaypov ri dvafxeXTreiv } Kal ws avrcp rrpoarf-
Kovaw aBetv Kal rovro \ievroi. Saoc Be apa
alBovvrat to decoy, 1 ovk av irore rwvBe rcbv
opvcdcov irrl rpo<f>fj 2 TrpoadiJjawTO , Kal yjrLs rj
atria Xaaac re ol rrjv vrjaov oLKovvres rrjv Aepov
Kal evean fia9eXv dXXaxoOev.

43. Uerrvaixav Be virep rcov jxvpfJii]KO)V Kal
ravra* ovtojs apa avrots to iOeXovpyov Kal to
iOeXoirovov rrdpeariv aTTpo^aalarcos Kal dvev rivo$
VTTOTifJi,i]Gea)s ideXoKaKovarjs Kal OKr^eoiSt is rjv
VTTOtKovpel to pdOvfJbov, d>s Kav 3 rai$ TtavQeX-qvohs
p/qBe vvKrwp pXaKevew fMrjBe iXivvew, aAA' e^eaOat
rrjs oirovByjs. & avQpwrroi, fivpias rrpo^daets re
Kal crKrjifjets is to paurcoveveiv imvoovvres. Kal
ri Bet KaraXeyeiv re Kal irravrXeiv rov rouovrov 4
oxXov; KeKTjpvKrat, yap Atovvaia Kal Aijvaia Kal
Xtrrpot Kal Te^vpiorfxot) Kal fJiereXdovrcov is rrjv
TiTrdpnqv dXXa Kal is Qijpas dXXa Kal Kara
rroXw \wpla eKdarrjv rd fiev fidpfiapov ra Se
'EAAaSa.

1 $etov Kal et fia)\Xov -rrjv "Aprefiiv.
2 " Schn : rpo^ijv.

3 Jac : /cat or Kav. 4 tolqvtov .

* Leros, off the coast of Caria, contained a shrine of Artemis
Parthenos, and there according to the legend the women were
transformed.

262

ON ANIMALS, IV. 42-43

and found no cure for their sorrow. So the gods in
pity allowed them to change their shape into these
birds ; and the semblance and seed of their ancient
grief have sunk into them so that to this day they
raise a strain to Meleager and even sing of how they
are his kin.

So then all who reverence the gods would never lay
hands on one of these birds for the sake of food. And
the reason of this is known to the inhabitants of the
island of Leros and can be learned from other
sources.

43. Here are more facts that I have learned touch- n» Ant
ing Ants. So indefatigable, so ready to work are
they, without making excuses, without any base plea
for release, without alleging reasons that are a cloak
for indolence, that not even at night when the moon
is full do they idle and take holiday, but stick to their
occupation.

Look at you men — devising endless pretexts and g^ alg
excuses for idling ! What need is there to detail and 63 1Ta 3
pour out the full number of these occasions? Pro-
claimed as holidays are the Dionysia, 6 the Lenaea, the
Festival of Pots, Causeway Day : go to Sparta, and
there are others : others again at Thebes : and an
endless number in every city, some in a foreign,
others in a Greek city.

5 Greater or City Dionysia held about March 28-April 2;
Lesser or Country Dionysia, about December 19-22 ; Lenaea,
at the end of January ; XvVpoi, feast in honour of the departed,
about March 4; all these at Athens. Tefaptofjuos : those who
took part in the Eleusinia, in March, indulged in abusive
repartee as they passed along the Sacred Way between Athens
and Eleusis.

263

AELIAN

44. Maprvptov Be rrjs rcov ^cpcov (j>vaeojs, ore
ov TT&vv ri 1 SvorpieraxeLptard 2 icrnv, dXXd e§
iradovra aTTOpbvrjoOrjvai rrjs evepyeacas iarlv
dya6d, z ev rfj Alyvnrcp ol re aiXovpoi Kal ol
Ixvevpuoves Kal ol KpoKoB(,Xot Kal to rcov lepaKcov
kn <f>vXov. dXivKerat, Be KoXaKela rrj Kara yaare-
pa } Kal ivrevOev r)piepcodevra Xomov upaorara

pL€V€l* Kai OVK OLV 7TOT6 €7Ti6oLTO rots eVepyiraiS

rots eavrcov, rov Svfiov rod avficf>vovs re Kal
ovyyevovs aVaf rrapaXvOevra. dvOptOTros he Kal
Xoyov [xereiXrjXos £a>ov Kal <j>povr}aea)s dijicoOev
Kal alBetoOai Aa^ov Kal ipvdrjpLa, iriarevQev <f>tXov
yiverai ftapbs noXepuos, Kal oaa aTropprjra em-
orevOrj, ravra oV air lav $payyrdrr\v Kal rr)v
TTaparvxovaav is €7n/3ovXr)v egeirrvcTe rr)v rod
TrerncTrevKoros .

45. Qavpbdcrat Xoyov d£i6v (frrjatv Ev$rjp,o$, Kal
rw ye dvBpl rcpBe 6 Xoyos odros ion. veavcas
BripaTiKoSt crvpbftiovv rots rcov ^wtov dyptcordrots
otos re j eK vecov puevrot Kal fipecfrcdv . TreirtoXev pi-
vots* etxe ovvrp6(f}ovs re Kal avooirovs eavrots
yeyevrjfxevovs Kvva Kal dpKrov Kal Xeovra. Kal
ravra p,ev XP° vov ^P^s dXXrjXa elprjvrjv dyeiv Kal
cpiXa voetv crif>tcri Xeyei 6 ILvBr}p,os' puas Be rv^etv
r)p,epas rov kvvcl rrpoorraL^ovra rr)v dpKrov Kal
vnacKaXXovra Kal ipeaxeXovvra, ri)v Be ovk
ela>06rcos eK6r)ptco6 , r]vai Kal ipbTreaetv rep kwL, Kal
Xa<j>v^at rots ovv£t rod SeiXaiov rrjv yacrrepa Kal
Biacmdaaadai avrov dyavaKrrjoat Be rep avfi-
fidvri 6 avros <f>r}oi rov Xeovra Kal oiovel pt,iojjcrai
to dcxTTOvBov rrjs dpKrov Kal d<f>iXov, Kal rov
264

ON ANIMALS, IV. 44-45

44. In Egypt the Cats, the Ichneumons, the Croco-

diles, and moreover the Hawks afford evidence that kind actions
animal nature is not altogether intractable, but that
when well-treated they are good at remembering
kindness. They are caught by pandering to their
appetites, and when this has rendered them tame
they remain thereafter perfectly gentle : they would
never set upon their benefactors once they have been
freed from their congenital and natural temper.
Man however, a creature endowed with reason,
credited with understanding, gifted with a sense of
honour, supposed capable of blushing, can become
the bitter enemy of a friend and for some trifling and
casual reason blurt out confidences to betray the very
man who trusted him.

45. Eudemus has a story to fill one with amaze- The story
ment, and this is the story he tells, A young hunter a Be ar, and
who was able to spend his life among the wildest of a D °e
animals, after they had been trained from the day

when they were young cubs, had living with him and
sharing each other's food a Dog, a Bear, and a Lion.
And for a time, Eudemus says, they lived in peace
and mutual amity. But it happened one day that the
Dog was playing with the Bear, fawning upon it and
teasing it, when the Bear became unwontedly savage,
fell upon the Dog, and with its claws ripped the poor
creature's belly open and tore him to pieces. The
Lion, says the writer, was indignant at what had
occurred and seemed to detest the Bear's implaca-

1 ov Trdvrrj. 2 SvafJL€Tax€lpLOT0S.

3 dyaOd dypciorara ^qxav.

4 Jaci TTeirwXevixevovs*

265

AELIAN

Kvva ota eratpov 7rodrjcrcu Kai is SiKalav TrpoeXBetv
opyr\v, koX iiridelvat, rij dpKrcp rrjv Slkyjv, Kai to.
aura Bpdcrat, avrrjv, ditep ovv elpydaaro rov Kvva

£K€W7]. "OfATjpOS fJb€V ofiv <f>7j(JW

<hs dyaOov Kai rratSa Kara<f>6ijj,evoio XiTreaOai*

eoiKe Se r) (f)vcri$ SeiKvvvcu on Kai <f>lXov eavrtp ti-
fxwpov KaraXt,7re2v, c5 <f>lXe "O/^pe, KepSos iartv.
olov ri Kai rrepi Zrjvcovos Kai KXedvOovs voodfiev,
el Tt aKovojxev.

46. 'Ev 'IvBoTs yLverai drjpia to pieyeOos ooov
yevowro dv ol KavOapoi, Kai eonv epvBpd- kw-
vafidpet, Se et/cdVaa? 1 av, el 7Tpd)Tov Oedaaco
avrd. rroSas <Se> 2 e^t ravra p,r)KLOTov$ 9 Kai
TrpoodifjaoQ ai puaXaKa ian. <j>verai he dpa eiri

TWV SevSpOJV TWV (f)€p6vTO)V TO rjXeKTpOV, KOL

airetrai rov rwv (f>vra>v Kapirov rojvhe. Orjpojat
8e avrd ol 'IvSol Kai aTrodXifiovoi, Kai i£ avrcbv
PdirrovcrL rds re (fiowiKihas Kai rovs vtt awrats'
Xvr&vos Kai wav o n dv i9eXo)atv dXXo is rrfvhe
rrjv xP^av €Krpeif/at re Kai x/x3aai. KopLLt.erai
he dpa r) roidSe ioOrjs Kai rq> rcov Hepcrwv j3a~
atXei. Kai to ye eveihes rrjs iadr}ros hoKec rots
Hepaais OavpLacrrov, avriKpLvopLevr) 3 Se rats 4
Uepa&v eTTLxcopiois Kparel Kara rroXv Kai e/C7rA^r-

1 eiWats. ^ 2 <Se> odd. E.

8 Kai avTLKpivojjLevi]* 4 rots.

266

ON ANIMALS, IV. 45-46

bility and want of affection : it was smitten with
grief for the Dog as for a companion, and being filled
with righteous anger, punished the Bear by treating
it exactly as the Bear had treated the Dog. Now
Homer says [Od. 3. 196]

' So good a thing it is that when a man dies a son

should be left.'
And Nature seems to show that there is an advantage,
my dear Homer, in leaving a friend behind to
avenge one. Something of the same kind, we be-
lieve, occurred with Zeno and Cleanthes, if there is
some truth in what we hear. a

46 (i). In India are born insects 6 about the size of The Lac
beetles, and they are red. On seeing them for the in3ec
first time you might compare them to vermilion.
They have very long legs and are soft to the touch.
They flourish on those trees which produce amber,
and feed upon the fruit of the same. And the
Indians hunt them and crush them and with their
bodies dye their crimson cloaks and their tunics
beneath and everything else that they wish to con-
vert and stain to that colour. Garments of this
description are even brought to the Persian king, and
their beauty excites the admiration of the Persians,
and indeed when set against their native garments
far surpasses them and amazes people, according to

a Cleanthes succeeded his master Zeno as head of the Stoic
school at Athens, 263 B.C. ...

6 This is the Tatihardia lacca of India and S Asia, an msect
allied to the cochineal and kermes insects. It exudes a
resinous secretion (on to the twigs of certain trees, esp. those of
the species Ficus) which is lac. The crimson dye is the red
fluid in the ovary of the female.

267

AELIAN

reiy cos <f>r]ai Kr^aia?* ejrel Kal rtov dBopuevcop
TiapSiaviK&v 1 6£vrepa re eon Kal nqXavyeorepa.

YLvovrai Be ivravOa rrjs 'IvSt/c^s, evOa ol kqv~
Oapoi, Kal ol KaXovfievoi KWOKecfraXot, ot$ to
ovopua eBcoKev rj rod oa>p,aro$ oijfis re Kal <j>voi$*
ra Be aAAa dvOpcoTrcov k'xovoi, Kal rjpi(f)iecrpievot
fiaBlCovai Bopds QrjpLtov. Kat elcri Si/ccuoi, Kal
avOpcoTTtov Xvttovctw ovBeva, Kal tf>6eyyovrai p,ev
ovBe ev, cbpvovr at Be, rrjs ye psqv 'IvScDv <j>u)vrjs
erra'towi. rpo<f>7j Be avrols rcov ^totav rd aypta*
alpovai Be avra paara, Kal yap elatv toKiarot,, Kal
aTTOKTewovoi KaraXafiovres , Kal otttlogiv ov 7tvpL y
dXXd Trpos rr)v elXrjv rr)v rod r)Xtov is piotpas
Biagfjvavres . rpec^ovac Be Kal atyas Kal ots,
Kal vltov fiev rroiovvrai ra aypia, rtivovoi Be. to
eK rcov 9pep,p,drcov ydXa cZv rpetfrovcn. pLvrfpLrjv
Be avrcov ev rots dXoyois eironqcTdpLrjv , Kal etKorcos'
evapdpov yap Kal evarjpLOv Kal dvOpcoiTLVTjv cfxovfjv
ovk exovacv.

47. XXtopls ovopua opvtdos, 7)7Tep odv ovk av
dXXaxodev Troiiqoairo rr)v KaXidv r) 4k rod Xeyopue-
vov cjvp,tj>vrov ear i Be pi£a ro avp,<f>vrov evpeOrjvai
re Kal 6pv£at ^aAe^. orpcop,vr)v Be . V7Toj3dXXerai,
rp^a? Kal epca. Kal 6 puev SrjXvs opvis ovrco
KeKXrjrat,, 6 Be appi)v 3 yXcoplcova KaXovaw avrov,
Kal earc rov fitov {jltjxclvlkos, puadelv re rrav 6 ri
1 rcov L.

268

ON ANIMALS, IV. 46-47

Ctesias, because the colour is even stronger and
more brilliant than the much-vaunted wares of
Sardes.

(ii). And in the same part of India as the beetles, ^Dog-
are born the ( Dog-heads/ as they are called— a name
which they owe to their physical appearance and
nature. For the rest they are of human shape and
go about clothed in the skins of beasts; and
they are upright and injure no man; and though
they have no speech they howl; yet they under-
stand the Indian language. Wild animals are their
food, and they catch them with the utmost ease, for
they are exceedingly swift of foot ; and when they
have caught them they kill and cook them, not over
a fire but by exposing them to the sun's heat after
they have shredded them into pieces. They also
keep goats and sheep, and while their food is the
flesh of wild beasts, their drink is the milk of the
animals they keep. I have mentioned them along
with brute beasts, as. is logical, for their speech is
inarticulate, unintelligible, and not that of man.

47. Golden Oriole « is the name of a bird which ^
declines to build its nest with anything but comfrey, oriole
as it is called. Comfrey is a root which is hard to find
and hard to dig up. For bedding it lays down hairs
and wool. Chloris is the name given to the hen, but
the cock-bird they call chlorion, and it is clever at
getting a livelihood ; it is quick to learn anything

a Ael. has confused the habits of two different birds : it
is the Greenfinch the x XcopCs of Arist. HA 615 b 32, that
builds its nest of comfrey, etc. But Ael. uses the word to
signify the Golden Oriole, a migratory bird, which the Green-
finch is not,

369

AELIAN

oSv dyados /cat rXrjfifov VTropueivai rrjv h ra>
liavdavew fiauavov, orav dAa>. /cat Std puev rod
X^fjiwvos d(f>€Tov /cat iXevOepov ovk dv t'8ot rty
avrov } depwal 1 6Vai> virdpgoovrat 2 rpoiral
rot? erovs, riqviKavr dv 3 im^alvotro. 'Ap/crou-
pos re i-rreretXev* 6 Se dvax^pei is rd ot/ceta,
onodev /cat Bevpo iardXrj.

48. e Y7r6 flu/iot) redrjy^ivov ravpov /cat t$/?pt-
Coira e's /cejoa? /cat ow op^ aKaraoxerco 5
<f>ep6p,€vov ovx 6 fiovKoXos cW^ei, ov <f>6j3o$
dvaareXXei, ovk aXXo roiovrov } avBpamos Se
larrjcnv avrov /cat rrapaXvet, rrjs opjjLrjs to Begtov
avrov yovv Biaa<j>iy^as rawia /cat ivrvxcov avru>.

49. C H 7rdpSaXts irivre e^et Sa/crvAous" eV rots'
7roo*t Tot? trpoudlois, iv Se rots' Karomv rerrapas.
rj Se QrfXeLa evpajororipa rov dppevos. idv Se
yevoyjrai ayvoovaa rov KaXovfidvov TrapBaXidyxov
(rroa Se' ioriv) 3 d7ro7rdrr]}xa dvOpamov rroOev
Xixvevo-ava 6 Stao*a>Jerat.

50. Ot tWot, rds Kara) fiXefaplBas ov <f>aaw
avrovs €X €lv * 'A^eAA?^ odv rov 'E^e'ow air lav
Xiyovaiv ex elv > ^t nva hrrrov ypd<f>wv ov
vrape^vXage ro lBcov rod £cpov. oi Se ovk 'A^eA-
Xtjv <j)aoi ravrrjv rrjv alrlav eVey/cacr&xt, aKXd
MtKwva, 7 dyaOov pev dvBpa ypdifsai ro £a>ov
rovro, or<f>aX4vra S' odv is fiovov ro elpr^iivov .

1 Schni ripwat MSS, H. 2 imdpxGivTai.

3 TTjnKavra. * 'Aptirotpov re <WoAat.

Kai aKaraaxdros. 6 Uadermacher : avixvevaaaa MSS, H.
7 Mmrsius : Nixcova.
270

ON ANIMALS, IV. 47-50

whatsoever, and will patiently endure the ordeal of
learning when in captivity. In the winter season you
will not see it abroad and free, but at the occurrence of
the summer solstice, that is when it will appear. As
soon as Arcturus has risen the bird returns to its
native haunts whence it came to us.

48. When once a Bull has been provoked to anger How to
and is threatening violence with his horns and rushing f£n
on with irresistible speed, the herdsman cannot con-
trol him, fear cannot check him, nor anything else ;

only a man may bring him to a halt and stay his
onrush if he tie a scarf round his own right knee and
face the Bull.

49. The Leopard has five toes on its fore-paws and The
four on its hind-paws. But the female is stronger Leopar
than the male. If it unwittingly eats what is called

' leopards-choke * 6 (this is a herb), it licks some
human excrement and preserves its life.

50. Horses, they say, have no lower eyelashes, so The Horse,
that Apelles c of Ephesus incurred blame for ignoring lts

this peculiarity in his picture of a horse. But others
assert that it was not Apelles who was charged with
this fault but Micon, a man of great skill in depicting
this animal, although on this one point he made a
mistake.

a The morning rising of Arcturus in the region of Rome is
on September 20.
& Aconite.

c Apelles, the most renowned of Grecian painters, con-
temporary of Alexander the Great.— Micon, fl. middle of 5th
cent. B.C. at Athens, famous as painter and sculptor.

271

AELIAN

51. T6v OLOTpOV <f>a(XLV OfJLOlOV €LVCU [MVta fl€yL<JT7)

Kal elvai arepeov Kal evirayrj Kal exew Kevrpov
laxvpov rjprrjfjiivov rov crwpuaros, TTpoteaOat, Se
Kal rjX ov fiofjLfiwSr) . rov pkv ovv puvcoira ofxotov
<j>vvat 1 rfj Kakovpuivrj KVVopwLq, fiopbfieiv Se rod
o'iarpov puaXXov, ex^iv ^ eXarrov to Kevrpov.

52. "Ovovs dyplovs ovk eXdrrovs lir-noiv rd
fxeyeOrj ev 'IvSols ylveoQai 7re7rva\xai. Kal XevKovs
fxev to aAAo etvai awpba, rr\v ye purjv Ke(f>aXrjv
exew 7rop(f>vpa 7TapaTr\7]criav, tous" Se 6cf>8aXfjLovs
drroariXXeiv Kvavov XP° av - K^pa-S Se ej(etv em
raj peruxptp oaov mjxecos TO * pueyedos Kal rjfjLLaeos
TTpocrerij Kal to p,ev koto) puepos rov Keparos
elvai XevKov, to Se aVto <f>owiKovv, to ye purjv
\ieaov \ieXav Setvws. 4k Srj rcovSe ratv ttolkiXcdv
Keparatv rriveiv *\vSov$ aKovco, Kal ravra ov
rrdvras, aXXa rov? rwv *lvSwv Kparlorovs, e/c
S taarrjfidr ojv avrois XP VU ° V rrepixeavras, 2 olovel
ifjeXtois 3 tlo-1 KOo-fj,tfcravTas fipaxlova wpatov
dydXp,aros. Kal <f>acrc voaa>v d<f>vKTQ>v dpuadrj Kal
aireipov yivecrOat 4 rov dnoyevadpLevov 4k rovSe rov
Keparos* fiijre yap aTrao-jxcp Xiq<f)6>rjvai dv avrov
fxrjre rfj KaXovpi^evrj lepq voacp, prqre pjr\v 8ta<f>$a-
prjvai <f>appidKois . edv Si rt Kal rvporepov fj
7TeTra)K(bs KaKov 3 dvefxetv rovro, Kal vyia yive-
crdai 5 auTov. Trerrtarevrat, Se rovs dXXovs tot)?
ava -ndaav rfjv yrjv ovov$ Kal rjpbepovs Kal dyplovs
Kai ra dXXa 6 juaW^a duplet, darpaydXovg ovk
exew 3 ovSe pjrjv eirl rw ^Vart %oA^, ovovs Se rov$

1 Schn : ^vai or <$>ve<j8ai.

2 Reishe : Trepv^ovras. 3 ijteXXiois.

272

ON ANIMALS, IV. 51-52

51. They say that the Gadfly is like a fly of the Tbe Gadfly
largest size; it is robust and compact and has a
strong stinff attached to its body and emits a buzzing

sound The Horsefly on the other hand is like the £»Ho»
dog-fly, as it is called, but though its buzz is louder
than the Gadfly its sting is smaller.* 1

52. I have learned that in India are born Wild^J™^
Asses as big as horses. All their body is white ex-
cept for the head, which approaches purple, while

their eyes give off a dark blue colour. They have a
horn on their forehead as much as a cubit and a half torn
long ; the lower part of the horn is white, the upper
part is crimson, while the middle is jet-black. From
these variegated horns, I am told, the Indians drink,
but not all, only the most eminent Indians, and round
them at intervals they lay rings of gold, as though
they were decorating the beautiful arm of a
statue with bracelets. And they say that a man
who has drunk from this horn knows not, and
is free from, incurable diseases : he will never be
seized with convulsions nor with the sacred sick-
ness, 6 as it is called, nor be destroyed by poisons.
Moreover if he has previously drunk some deadly
stuff, he vomits it up and is restored to health.

It is believed that Asses, both the tame and the
wild kind, all the world over and all other beasts with
uncloven hoofs are without knucklebones and without
gall in the liver; whereas those horned Asses of

a Cp. 6. 37, and see Stud. ital. difil. class. 12. 441.
b Epilepsy.

l. & yeveudav. 6 to, aAAa rd.

273

AELIAN

'IvBovs Xeyet, Kriquias rovs exovras rd Kepas
avrpaydXovs <f>opetv, /cat dxoXovs purj etvai- Aeyov-
rat Be ol dcrrpdyaXot jxeXaves etvai, /cat et ris
avrovs crvvrplifjeiev, 1 etvai tolovtoi /cat rd evBov.
elol Be /cat wkiotoc olBe ov jjlovov rwv ovcov,
dXXd /cat lttttcov /cat eXd<f>cov /cat vrrdpxovrai fiev
W^XV r °v <$p6fiov, /caret puKpd Be imppcowvvrat,

KOL 8td)K€LV i«€LVOVS TOVTO Brj TO 7rOL7]TLKOV

fiera9ecv rd hcv^qra. iarcv. orav ye purjv 6 BijXvs
T€K7}, /cat 7T€pidyy)Tai rd dprcyevrj, avwopiot,
avrots ol iraripes avrwv (f>vXdrrovGi 2 rd /3pe<f>rj.
Starpt/ku Be roi$ ovois rcov 'IvBlkcov 7reBicov rd
iprjfiorard ioriv. lovrcov 3 Be rcov TvS&v em rrjv
dypav avruov, rd fxev drraXd /cat en veapd eavrcov
vifieuBaL Karo-niv iwaiv, avroi Be vrrepfxaxovGt,
/cat tao*t rots hmrevGw 6p,6ae, /cat rots Kepaoi
rraiovai. roaavrrj Be dpa rf ioxvs V rcovBe ianv.
ovBev dvrexet avrots rraiopievov, dXXd et/cet /cat
Sta/coyrerat /cat idv rvxi) KarareBXaarat 4 /cat
dxpetov ear iv. 7JS77 Be /cat lttttcov rrXevpats ifx?re-
Govres SUaxcaav /cat rd arrXdyxva i^exeav.
evBev rot /cat oppcoBovaiv avrots 7rXr}oid£eLv ol
iTTjrets^ to yap rot rt/^/xa rod yeveoBai nX-qatov
Bdvaros icrnv oiktlgtos avrots, kol d-noXXwrai
/cat avrol /cat ol lttttoi. Becvol Be etat /cat XaKrlaai.
Brjyfiara Be dpa is roaovrov KaBiKvetrai avrcov,
ws dirooTTav to TtepiX-q^Bev tt&v. faWa fiev odv
reXetov ovk dv Xdfioos, jSdXXovrai, Be aKovriois /cat
oiarotsy /cat rd Kepara 5 i£ avrcov 'IvSot veKpcov
GKvXevaavres cos etnov Trepteirovacv. ovcov Be

1 ovivplfat or -rptyai. * ^vXdrrovrac.

274

ON ANIMALS, IV. 52

India, Ctesias says, have knucklebones and are not knucMe-
without gall. Their knucklebones are said to be
black, and if ground down are black inside as well.
And these animals are far swifter than any ass or
even than any horse or any deer. They begin to run,
it is true, at a gentle pace, but gradually gather
strength until to pursue them is, in the language of
poetry, to chase the unattainable.

When the dam gives birth and leads her new-born
colts about, the sires herd with, and look after, them.
And these Asses frequent the most desolate plains in
India. So when the Indians go to hunt them, the
Asses allow their colts, still tender and young, to
pasture in their rear, while they themselves fight on
their behalf and join battle with the horsemen and
strike them with their horns. Now the strength of
these horns is such that nothing can withstand their
blows, but everything gives way and snaps or, it may
be, is shattered and rendered useless. They have in
the past even struck at the ribs of a horse, ripped it
open, and disembowelled it. For that reason the
horsemen dread coming to close quarters with them,
since the penalty for so doing is a most lamentable
death, and both they and their horses are killed.
They can kick fearfully too. Moreover their bite
goes so deep that they tear away everything that
they have grasped. A full-grown Ass one would
never capture alive : they are shot with javelins and
arrows, and when dead the Indians strip them
of their horns, which, as I said, they decorate.

3 ianv. I6vr<x>v~\ emorrtov.

4 KaredXaaraL.

5 Kepara ovrca rd.

275

AELIAN

*lv$a>v afipcorov ion (to) 1 Kpias' to 8e alriov,

7T€<f>VK€V €WCU TTlKpQTOJTOV

53. Etvat Se d'Aoya jitcv ^aia,, (pvaiKrjv Se e^etv
aptdfxrjriKrjv firj hihaxOivra EvSrjaos <f>rjat, /cat
irrdyet p^aprvpiov iKecvo rwv iv rrl AlBvv twwv
to Oe oi>o/xa Aeyer a Oe Aeyet, Ta£>T<x €o*rtj\
o Tt aV Orjpdarj, ttoi&v pbolpas eVSe/ca, /cat rds pukv
Se/ca aireiaOai, rr)v Be ivSeKarrjv aVoAewrertv (otco
8e /cat aWt to£ /cat ivvoLa rivi OKorrelv agtov)
airapxqv ye riva rj BeKarrjv, ws av zIttols. ovkovv
iKTrXayfjvai St/catov rrjv avroBiBaKrov ao</>[av
<T^Se> 2 - rr)v yap rot 3 /xomSa /cat SuaSa /cat
tow ef/Js* dpcOfjLovs C&ov olBev dXoyov dvOpwrrw
Se Set TToaajv pukv rwv \x,adr]p,drwv 3 rroacov Be rdv
irXrjywv, Iva r) fidOrj ravra ed /cat kolXws rj
rroXXaKts fir) fidOrj;

54. Aeyovoiv Aiyvirrioi (/cat paOvpt,ws avrwv
ovk aKovovaiv dvBpes <f>iX6ooj>oi) ev rivi voficp
rwv Klyvrrrlwv, ovrrep ovv e£ 'Hpa/cAeous rov
Alos 6vop,d£ovvi 3 rracBa wpalov ws av Alyvirrtov,
Xqvwv 7TOt,p,€va, ipdurpiav dWtSa Xaxeiv, /cat
\ievroi </cat> 4 rrap avrfj elvai OavpLaarov. elra
<f>OLrwcrav rep ipwpuevw ovap 7TpoX4yew rds i-mfiov-
Xds ^ ras^ is avrov rravovpyovpuevas e/c Qarepov
drjptov, orrep rjv avrfj avwo\xov } cos av etVot res,
CrjXoTVTTLa rfj 7rpds rov TratSa vrrep rrjs vvp,<f>rj$ 5
ravra rreipwp,evov Bpdv rov dppevos' rov Be

1 <to> add. B. 2 <T^Se> add. H.

3 Schn : rfy Be ye. * ^al) add. H,

276

ON ANIMALS, IV. 52-54

But the flesh of Indian Asses is uneatable, the reason
being that it is naturally exceedingly bitter.

53. Eudemus declares that animals though devoid £«toa-
of reason have a natural instinct for numbers, even aDima i
though untaught, and adduces as evidence this ani-
mal from Libya. Its name he does not mention, but
what he says is this. Whatever it catches it divides
into eleven portions; ten of these it eats, but the
eleventh it leaves (it is worth considering for whose
benefit, from what cause, and with what intent) as a
kind of first-fruits or tithe, so to say. Hence one s
amazement at this self-taught skill is justifiable : a
brute beast understands 1, 2, and the following num-
bers • then think of all the instruction, all the whip-
pings a human being needs if he is to learn these
things well and truly^-or often, if he is not to learn
them.

54. The Egyptians assert (and scholars do not lend Ag£ l0Te
an indifferent ear to what they say) that m a certain GooS eiierd
district of Egypt which they name after Heracles «
the son of Zeus, a good-looking boy, as Egyptian
boys go, who herded geese, was beloved and even
admired by a female Asp. It would keep company
with its favourite and warn him in a dream as he slept
of the plots that another savage creature, its fellow
you might say, was hatching against him : the male
Asp was attempting his life, being as it were jealous
of the boy on account of its wedded bride. And the

« Nomos Heracleotes in Middle Egypt, of which the capital
was Heracleopolis.

5 7"jyy VVfM(j>7}S TTjS aGm§OS.

277

AELIAN

vnaKovovra 1 rrtiOeoQai Kal foXdrread at. "Oju/q-

pOS fJ,hr OVV €$WK€V ITTTTO) <f>cov^v } aoWSfc Se rj

<f>vms, $ voficov ovSev pbiXei, <f>rjalv Evpt,7ri8y}s.

55. KdfxtfXoVS €T7] filOVV KCtX 7T€VTi]K0VTa GLKrjKOa,

rds Se £k BaKrpojv <rr€7Tvap,ai rrpocivai Kal is Bis
rooavra. Kal ol ye dppeves Kal TroXepuKoc,

€KT€flVOV(nv aVTOVS Ol BdKTpiOL, TTJV vfipw KOI

to aKoXaorawew atfuxipovvres, rrjv pa>fi7jv
avTois </>vX<xttovt€s. Kaovrai 2 Se at dtfXeiat ra
^wnrovra is olvrpov p>ipr\ avrds.

56. <$>a>Kiqv EvBtjixos Xiyet ipavdfjvat dvBpos
OTroyyias Orjpzveiv avveidiafxevov, Kal irpotovaav
Trjs 6aXdrrr)s evBa rjv vrravrpos irirpa opuXeiv
avrw. rwv Se ofiorixvcov rjv dpa ovros alaxioros,
aAAd eSo/cet rfj </>d)K7) <hpaioraros etvat,. /cat
davp,a taws ovhiv, eW Kal dvOpcorroL iroXXaKts
rcov fjrrov koXcov ripdvOiqaav, is rovs copaiordrovs
ov rradovres ot3Se lv 3 aXX' apLeXrjaavres avr&v.

57. *ApLOToriX7]s 3 Aeyet rov vtto vSpov jrX-qyivra
Trapaxprjfxa oap^v fiapvrdrrjv aTrepydCeoOcu, cos
p,Tj otov re etvat irpooTTf-Xdvat, avrtp rwa. XrjOrjv
Te Karax^ladat rov TrXrjyevros 4 6 avrds Aeyet /cat
ixivroi Kal dxXvv Kara rcov ofipdrcov TroXXrjv, Kal
Xvrrav ittiyLveodai /cat rpopcov ed 5 pudXa loyvpov,
/cat drroXXvoOat hid rpCrrjs avrov.

1 inaKOVovra. 2 Katovrat.

3 'AiroAAdScopos Wellmann.

4 raj

5 Meiske: ev9v$.

278

ON ANIMALS, IV. 54-57

boy would listen and obey and be on his guard.
Now Homer [II. 19. 404] allowed a horse to speak,
and Nature, who according to Euripides ' recks nought
of laws ' [jr. 920 N], did the same to an Asp.

55- I have heard that Camels live for fifty years, meftgd
but I have ascertained that those from Bactria live as
much as twice that number. The males which are
used in battle, the Bactrians castrate, thereby rid-
ding them of their violent and intemperate dis-
position while preserving their strength. But in the
case of the females they cauterize those parts which
inflame them to lust.

56. Eudemus asserts that a Seal fell in love with J**^
a man whose habit was to dive for sponges, and that

it would emerge from the sea and consort with him
where there was a rocky cavern. Now this man was
the ugliest of his fellows, but in the eyes of the Seal
the handsomest. Perhaps there is nothing to wonder
at, for even human beings have frequently loved the
less beautiful of their kind, being quite unaffected by
the best-looking and paying no attention to them.

57. Aristotle says* that when a man has been ^g^*^
bitten by a Water-snake he at once exhales a most bite
foul odour, so much so that nobody can come near

him. He says also that forgetfulness descends upon
the bitten nian and a thick mist upon his eyes, and
that madness ensues and a violent trembling, and
that after three days he dies.

« Not in any extant work. Wellmann (Hermes 26. 334)
would substitute the name of ApoUodorus for that of ^totle,
which he regards as a slip on the part of Ael. Cp. iNic. 1 h. 4^o.

279

AELIAN

58. Trjv olvdBa opveov elBevai %pr) odcrav, ov
prqv cos rives dpnreXov. Xeyet Be ^ ApiaroreXrqs
fiei£ov jxev avro etvai ^drrrjs, rrepiarepds ye p/qv
^ttov. KaXovvrai Be chs olkovco kcu iv rfj ItTrdprrj
olvaBodrjpai rives- Xeyoiro 8' dv /cat KipKT] BiaX-
Xdrreiv KipKOv ov piovov rep yevei dAAa Kai rfj
(frvcrei. 1

59. Kvavos <ro> 2 ovofia, opvis rr\v <f>votv,
airdvOpamos rov rpoirov, piiacov puev rds dorriKas
Biarpifids Kai rds Kar oiKiav avXiaeis, tbevytov
Be Kai rds iv dypois Biarpifids Kai ottov KaXvfiai
re Kai dvQpdmtov avXia, ^at/>cov Be iprjjjiLcus Kai
rjSofievos opeiois Kopvcf>als Kai irdyois aTroropbois.
aAA' ovBe r)7T€Lpois <f>iXr]$ei ovBe 3 vrjvots dyadaZs,
HKvpco Be Kai el ns roiavrrj erepa dyav Xvirpd
kai dyovos Kai dv9pd>7ta)v x^p^ovaa cos rd TroXXd,

60. Uttlvoi Be dpa crocfxorepoi Kai dvOpcoTrcov ro
fieXXov TTpoeyvtoKevai. loacri yovv Kai x €t f jb <*> va
p,eXXovra t Kai yiova ioojievrjv rrpopi-qdeorara
e<f>vXd£avro. Kai rod KaraX^thdvjvai Beet d<7ro8i-
Bpdo-Kovoiv is rd oXucoBt] ^topia, 4 *<u avrois rd
Bdarj Kpr}G(j>vyera cbs dv elirois iariv.

^ 1 Xeyoiro . . . (j>va€L] Xiyovro S* dv rt /cat k. htaXharrov rod k.
opveov . . . yivet 6aolv aAAct koX rvv <f>vaiv.
. 2 <to'> add. E.

3 ovre . . . ovre.

4 x w P^ a Kai T( * Saaea.

280

ON ANIMALS, IV. 58-60
58 You must know that the Oenas (Rock-dove) is a The Bock-

• • • A J Q.OV6

bird and not, as some maintain, a vine. Ana
Aristotle says [HA 544 b 6] that it is larger than a
ring-dove but smaller than a pigeon. In Sparta too,
I hear, there are men called Oenadotherae (Rock-
dove-catchers).

The Circe may be said to differ from the falcon not The oirce
only in sex but in its nature too.

59. ' Blue-fowl 1 a is its name ; it is a bird ; its ways
are apart from man ; it hates to linger in cities or to
lodge in a house ; it even avoids lingering in fields or
where there are cottages and huts belonging to man ;
it likes desolate places and delights in mountain peaks
and precipitous crags. It has no love even for the
mainland or for pleasant islands, but for Scyros and
any equally dreary, barren spot, generally destitute
of human beings.

60. Chaffinches, it seems, are cleverer than man at ^ ffiuch
predicting the future. For instance, they can tell
when winter is coming, and they take the most care-
ful precautions against an impending snowfall, and

for fear of being overtaken they flee to the wood-
lands where the thick foliage affords them, as you
might say, an asylum.

a Perh. the ' Syrian Nuthatch.'

281

BOOK V

E

^ 1. Trjv T7jv Uaptavajv Kal rrjv ydrova Kuft/eov
opvi9a$ oIkzw fieXavas loeiv (fracrt, to Se o^XW^
etTTois UpaKas avrovs aV. dyevarot Si elm
oapKcov, Kal acofipovovcri irepl rrjv yaarepa, /cat
avTol? ra oWp/zara etvai SeiTrvov <X7r6xp?]. orav
Be vnap^rai to fjueTOTraipov, is Trjv 'IAtacSa yrjv
dyiXrj TcovSe twv opvLBiav {koXovui Se avTovs
fxipvovas) evBv tov Mepuvovecov Ta<j>ov fiotTcbat,.
Xiyoyai Se ol ttjv TpcvdBa en olkovvt€s rjptov
elvaL Tt tco 'Hovs 1 Mipuvovi dvzTov 2 Kal avTov
fjev tov veKpov is rd Hovcra ra ovtw Mefivoveta
Vfivovjxeva vtto tt}s firjTpos KopnaBivTa pueTeajpov
€K T(x>v tf>ova>v Tvxeiv Kiqoevoeajs tt}s TTpoarjKOVG-qs
clvto), i7TOvofidCea9ai 3 Se ol ttjv GTrjXrjv ttjv
ivTavQa dXXa>s, ovkovv tovs opviQas tovs eVaW-

fAOVS TOV riptoOS TOV 7TpO€Cp7)fX€VOV d<j>LKV€LCr9ai

K-ara irav eros", Kal oiaipelaOal t€ Kal hiavx&vBai
is eyBpav^ Kal Siafopdv, Kal fidxeaBat \xdxr\v Kap-
Tepdv* got av ol p,ev avTwv d-TToddvajaiv ol
ol ok aTriXQaxnv ol KpaTrjaavTes evdev
<TOt> 5 KOI d<f>LKOVTO. oVwj <ft€^> 6 ovv ravra
opaTai Kal QTToOev, ov fiot crxoXrj <f>iXocro<f>eXv vvv,

1 r$ Trjs'T&ovs mss, H, rr}$ del Be StefanL

2 els TLiirqv,

3 Schn : ovo/jid^eadai.

4 Kaprepav /cat is tooovtov.

284

BOOK V

1. They say that the country about Parium fl and The Bus
its neighbour Cyzicus are inhabited by birds black in
appearance; from their shape you would say that
they were hawks. But they do not touch flesh, are
temperate in their appetite, and for them seeds are a
sufficient meal. And when late autumn sets m, a
flock of these birds (they call them Memnons) & resort
to the land round Ilium, making straight for the tomb
of Memnon. And the people who still inhabit the
Troad assert that there is a tomb there dedicated to
Memnon the son of Eos (Dawn) ; and since the actual
dead body was borne through the air by his mother
from the midst of the carnage to Susa (celebrated for
this reason as ' Memnonian '), where it was awarded
a becoming burial, the monument in the Troad is
called after him to no purpose. And so year by year
the birds named after the aforesaid hero arrive and
separate themselves into hostile factions and fight
violently until half their number are killed, when the
victors depart and return whence they came. How
this all comes to pass and for what reason, I have at
the moment no leisure to speculate, nor yet to
track down the mysteries of Nature. This however I

« Town at the western end of the S coast of the Propontis ;
Cyzicus is some 40 mi. further E.

» Ruffs.

e <rot> add. B.

e <^ev> add. H.

285

AELIAN

ovBe p,r)v rd rrjs </>voecos djroppTjra dvi,xyevei V .
elprjaeT ai Be e/cetvo. e7rird<f>iov rep TratBl rep rrj s
3 Rods /cat TtOcovov rovrov oaa errj rov ayebva
adXovaiv ol TTpoeiprjfievoi opvida$- IleAfcav Be
aVaf irlfirjaav "EXXrjves dy&vi Kal 'ApcapvyKea
Kal pAvroi koX UdrpoKXov Kal rov avriirakav
Mepvovos rov 'A^tAAea.

2, s Ej/ rfj Kpr^rrj yXavKa pur) yivevBat <f>a<n to
-rrapdirav, dXXa Kal iaKOfitaOecaav egtudev dwro-
6vrj(TK€bv. eoiK€ Be 6 EvpLTrCBrjs d^aaaviarcos
7re7TOL7jK€vai rov UoXvetBov dpGyvra rf]vBe rrjv
opvtv Kal ig avrrjs reKfxrjpd^vov on evprjaec rov
reOvecbra rep Mlvwi viov, 1 7rvv6dvop,ai Be eyooye
Xoyovs Kprjras aBeiv Kal BiBdaKeiv eKelva npos
rocs 7}8t] Birjwcrfievois. Bcopov Xafielv rrjv yfjv
rrjv KprjriKrjv 4k Ai6$, ota Brjrrov rpo(f>6v Kal rrjv
Kpvijjiv rrjv vpjvovjLevrjv diroKpyxfjaaav avrov, iXev-
Bepav elvai Brjpiov rrovrjpov Kal irrl Xvpurj yeyewrj-
p,evov 2 rravros, Kal jxrjre avrrjv rtKreiv p/rjre
e^wBev Kojiiodev rpe^eiv. Kal rrjv p,ev drroBet-
KvvaQai rod Bwpov rrjv loyvv rwv yap rot
7Tpo€tpr)p,€va)v dyovov etvat- el Be irrl rrelpa res
rj eXeyx<p rrjs €K Alos x&pw°$ rcov oBveicov n
eaaydyoi, ro Be em^avaav puovov rrjs yrjs drroX-

1 cyprqoci Kal rov VXavKov rov redve&Ta rov Mlva (ra Mowt
V) rov viov.

2 yeyevrjfiivqv.

286

ON ANIMALS, V. 1-2

mention. The aforesaid birds engage in this
Stest around the tomb of the son of Eos and
mhonus year after year, whereas the Greeks held
but one contest in honour of Pelias,« of Amarynceus,
and even of Patroclus, and of Achilles the adversary
of Memnon.

2 They say that the Owl is not found at all in a*^
Crete, and moreover that if it is introduced f rom owl*
abroad it dies. So it seems that Euripides un-
critically represented Polyeidus » as seeing this
Wrd and thereby conjecturing that he would
discover the dead son of Minos And I myself
have ascertained that the Cretan histories, beside
the facts already told, relate in verse and prose
how Crete received from Zeus a boon-seeing that
the island had nursed him and effected that famous
concealment of him-, namely that it should be
free of all noxious creatures born to do harm,
that it should neither produce them nor support
them if introduced from abroad. And the island
proves how potent this boon was, for it produces none
of the aforesaid creatures. But if a man by way ot
trying and testing the extent of Zeus s favour im-
ports one of these alien creatures, it has but to touch

- King of Iolcus ; his son Acastus paid Mm the honour of
funeral fames.-Amarynceus, acc. to a later _ legend, sent help
to the Greeks against Troy; see Horn. ii. 23. SS^-For the
funeral games of Patroclus see Horn 11. d ? a ™ 01

Achilles is referred to but not described m Ho "?^;f„; a and

* Polyeidus (i.e. the much-knowing), son of Coer anus and.
descendant of Melampus, famous as seer f^* wonderworker
divined through the presence of an owl that the body 01
GlTucus, the s 8 on of ffinos lay dead m a cask of honey and
restored him to life. See Nauck TQF*, p. 558.

287

AELIAN

XvaOat. ovkovv rovs Orip&vras rovs 6<j>eis iv rfj
rrXrjolov Ai/Byy roiavra TraXapudodaL. rjpLepcooav-
res dyovviv is Oavfia olBe ol yoiqres twv BaKercov
dt]pi(x>v 1 7ToAAa, /cat crvv avrots iirdyovrai </>6prov
yrjs rrjs Aifivacnqs a<j>Lat to dpKovv is rr\v x/>e«u\
rrpop/rfieia Be t&v o<f>ea*v rovro Bpcoow, Iva p,rj
d7ToXwvrai m Kal Bid ravra is rrjv vrjorov rrjv Ttpoei-
p7]fA€vrjv orav afiiKcovrat,, ov irporepov KararWevrai
ra f<£a, Trplv rj viroo-netpai rrjv gevrjv yyjv rjv iird-
yovrai. Kal iirl rovrois dQpol^ovai ra 7rXrjdrj y Kal
puevroi Kal rovs dvorjrovs re Kal iroXXovs €AC7tA^t-
rovoiv. €U)S p,ev ovv eKaarov avrwv Kara x^pav
\xevei QvveoTteipap,evov re Kal IBpvpLevov, Kal
irravlararai p,ev 3 ov {mtjv V7Tepf3dXXei rfjv oiKelav
koviv Kal avvrpoj>ov 3 is roaovrov £fj- iav Be
iK<f>oirrjGrj is rrjv oOvelav Kal eavrw £evrjv yrjv
rrjv ixOpalvovaav avrcb, aTrodvrjOKei, Kal ecKorajs.
el yap to €/c tov Aids vev/xa dreXes oiire rrpos rrjv
Qeriv iyevero ovre rrpos dXXov rivd yevoiro dv i
axoXfj Brjrrov rrpos rrjv avrov rpo<f>6v e/cetvo
<f>avetrat, aKvpov.

3. r TTorafios 6 'IvSo? dOrjpos ion, jjlovos Be
iv avrcp riKrerai okcoXk]^ <f>aaL. Kal to fxev etBos
avrcp otto tov Brjirov Kal rots iK rcov £vXtov yev-
vwp,evois re Kal rpe<f>opbevois 3 i7rrd.Be 7rrjx €COv2 to
fifjKos TTporiKOVvw ol eKetOi, evpeOetev 8' dv koI
fiec^ovs en Kal iXdrrovs' to irdxos Be avrwv
BeKaerrjs irais yeyovws fioXcs rats X € P ai Trepi^dX-
Xetv apKeaet. 3 rovrois Brj dvco p,ev els oBovs
7Tpoo7Te<j>vKe y Karat Be dXXos, rerpdyojvoi Be dfjMf>to }
rrvyovos Be to puv}Kos. roaovrov Be dpa rwv
288

ON ANIMALS, V. 2-3

the soil and it dies. Accordingly snake-hunters from gjto
the neighbouring Libya use devices of this kind.
These charmers of venomous reptiles tame a great
number and bring them for people to wonder at, and
^th them they import a load of soil from Libya
Efficient for their need. This they do by way of
precaution, to prevent the snakes from meeting their
death. With this object, when they arrive at the
aforesaid island they do not put down their snakes
until they have laid a bed of the imported soil. I his
done, they collect crowds and fill the unintelligent
maiority with amazement. Now as long as each
snake remains coiled up and settled in its place or
rises up without however crossing the limit ot its
own native dust, so long it lives. If however *
strays on to the alien soil which is strange and hostile
to it, it dies, and naturally so. For if the will of Zeus
did not fail of effect in the case of Thetis, and would
not fail in the case of any other person, far less, I
think, will it prove ineffectual when his own nurse is
concerned.

3. The river Indus is devoid of savage creatures ; a —us
the only thing that is born in it is a worm, so tney
say, in appearance like those that are engendered m,
and feed upon, timber. But these creatures attam
to a length of as much as seven cubits, though one
might find specimens both larger and smaller. Their
bulk is such that a ten-year-old boy could hardly en-
circle it with his arms. A single tooth is attached to
the upper jaw, another to the lower, and both are
square and abo ut eighteen inches long; and such is

1 g VD Ca 2 w)X <s " MSS alwa y s -

» 4U™* m03t MSS, t 'crx«'a« V, <» dp^«« Jac.

L

VOL. I.

AELIAN

ohovreuv avrois to Kpdros iarl* rrav o n av fin*
avroZs Xdftajcrt owTplpovat, pacrra, idv re Xido$ fj
idv re -fjfiepov C<p op rj dypiov. /cat /xe#' r)pbepav
p,ev Karat /cat iv {rep} 1 fivdep rod Trorapov Sta-
rpifiovcFi, rep TrrjXcp /cat rfj IXvi tfciXrjdovvres, /cat
evrevOev ovk etcrlv e/cS^Aot* vvKrtop Be 7Tpoiaenv
& jr)v yfjv, /cat orcp dv Trepirvxcoaiv , r] Ittttco rj
pot r] ovtp, ovvrpLfiovvw avrov, elra ovpovviv is
ra eavrwv r)0rj, /cat iaQLovaw iv rep irorapLcp, /cat
irdvra fipvKovoi 2 rd fieXrj TrXrjv rr]s rod \eoov
/cotAtas*. et Se avrovs /cat iv r)p,€pa mi^oi Xtfios,
etre KdfirjXos ttwol iirl tt)$ oxdrjs etre fiovs,
viravepTTvcravres /cat Xafiofievoi aKpcov rcov x^Xecov
IxaXa evXafiws* opfifj fiiaLordrr) /cat eAfet iyKparel
es ro vBtop dyovac, /cat Beiirvov lgxovctl. Sopd Se

ZKCLGrOV 7T<=piap,7T€')(€1> TO 7rd\oS KCU BvO SoLKTvXtOV.

dypa Se avrcov 3 /cat dr)pa rov rpoirov roVSe
rerixvaorai. dyKiarpov Ttaxv /cat laxvpov dXv-
aet triBrjpa TrpoarjprrjfjLevov KaOtacri, 7rpoerBf]aavres
avrco XevKoXlvov raXavnaiov 4 ottXov, ipicp /caret-
A^cavres' /cat to 5 /cat ro, Iva pur) Siarpdyj] 6
tTKtoXrjg avrd, dva-rr^avres Se is ro dyKiarpov
apva rj epi<j>ov, elra fievrot is ro rov rrorapuov
vBwp fieOiacriv . e^ovrat Se dvOpcorroi rov ottXov
/cat rpidfcovra, /cat eKacrros aKovriov re ivqyKvXrj-
rat /cat pudxaipav Trapf^prrjr at. /cat 7rapa/cetrat
gvXa evrpeirrj, -nalew el Se'or Kpavelas Se cart
ravra, iuxvpa dyav. elra Tre/Ha^efleWa rep ay/ct-
ar/oaj /cat to BeXeap Karamovra rov aKcoXrjKa
dveXKOvai* 6rjpa9evra Se dtroKreLvovcn, /cat irpos
rr)v elXrjv Kpeficoai rpiaKovra r)p,eptdv. Xelfierat
1 <t#> add. H. 2 Schn: ppvKwm.

290

ON ANIMALS, V. 3

the strength of their teeth that they can crush with
Te greatest ease anything that they get between
them, be it stone, be it animal, tame or wild. During
the daytime they live at the bottom of the river,
wallowing in the mud and slime ; for that reason they
Ire not to be seen. But at night they emerge on to
the land, and whatever they encounter, whether
horse or ox or ass, they crush and then drag down to
their haunts and eat it in the river, devouring every
member of the animal excepting its paunch. It
however they are assailed by hunger during the day
as well, and should a camel or an ox be drinking on
the bank, they slide furtively up and seizing firmly
upon its lips, haul it along with the utmost force and
draff it by sheer strength into the water, where they
feast upon it. Each one is covered with a hide two
Wers thick. The following means have been de-
visld for hunting and capturing them. Men let its capture
down a stout, strong hook attached to an iron chain,
and to this they fasten a rope of white flax weighing
a talent, and they wrap wool round both chain and
rope to prevent the worm biting through them. On
the hook they fix a lamb or a kid, and then let them
sink in the river. As many as thirty men hold on to
the rope and each of them has a 3 avelin ready to hurl
and a sword at his side. Wooden clubs are placed
handy, should they need to deal blows, and these are
of cornel-wood and very hard. Then when the worm
is secured on the hook and has swallowed the bait,
the men haul, and having captured it and killed it,
hang it up in the sun for thirty days. From the body

& Jac : Kal r6 d Y Ktorpov. cXkovol.

291

AELIAN

Be ig avrov eXaiov jraxv is ay y eta /cejoajLtoy
d<f>t7jGL Be eKaarov t^Coov is KorvXas BeKa. tovto
Brj to eXaiov (rep} 1 fiaaiXei rwv 'Iv8<2v ko^ovcfi
orjfLeta imflaXovres' 2 ex €LV 7^P avrov aXAov
ovBe oaov pavLBa i<j>eZrai. dxpelov Be ion to
Xolttov rod £a>ov aKijvos. e%et Be dpa rd eXaiov
laxvv iKeiv-qv. dvrwa dv £vXo)v aoopdv Kararrp^aal .
re Kai is dvdpaKidv aropiaai BeXtfarjs, KorvX-qy
imxias rovBe i^difseis, p,r} -rrporepov viroxeas
rrvpos orTrepfia- el Be KaranpTjaai dv0pa)7tov rj
C<pov, av p.ev emmets, to Be 7rapaxpfjp,a ivewpijadr} .
rovrcp rot (f>aat rov ra>v 'IvBwv fiaaiXea teal rds
TToXeis alpetv rds is ex^pav irpoeXdovaas ot 3 Kai
p/qre Kpiovs p/qre x^Xcovas prqre rds aXXas eXeno-
Xeis dvaptivzw, iirel Karairiparpds yjprjKev dyyeta
yap Kepafied oaov KorvXrjv eKaarov ppowia
ifirrXrjaas avrov Kai a7T0<f>pdi;as dva)6ev is rds
rrvXas a<f>evBova. drav Be z rvxV <tcDv> 4 OvplBtov,
rd p,ev dyyeXa TTpoaapdrrerai Kai drreppdyx] > Kai
to eXaiov Karu)Xia6e % Kai rcov dvpdjv rrvp KarexvO^ }
Kai dafiearov ian. Kai orrXa Be Kaei Kai dvOpcb-
trovs [xaxoiievovs y Kai airXerov 5 eo-Tt rrjv laxvv.
KOip,i£erai Be Kai d<j>avL£erai ttoXXov (f>opvrov
Karaxvdevros.® Xeyei 6 KvlBios Krrjalas ravra.

4c. f H <j>a)Kawa 7 ofxoiov BeX<f)tvt, faiov iartv,
exei Be ydXa Kai avrrj. xpoav Be ovk earc p,eXawa,
Kvavw Be eiKaarai ra> fiaQvrdrw, dvaTrvet Be ov
fipayxuuSj aAAa <f>va7jrrjpi' rovro yap Kai koXov-

1 <r<S> add. H. * cmjSaAWey.

3 «. * (twv> add. H.

292

ON ANIMALS, V. 3-4

there drips a thick oil into earthenware vessels ; and «u ftom
each worm yields up to ten cotylae." This oil they seal 1
and bring to the Indian King; no one else is permitted
to have so much as a drop. The rest of the carcase is
of no use. Now the oil has this power: should you
wish to burn a pile of wood and to scatter the embers,
pour on a cotyle and you will set it alight without pre-
viously applying a spark. And if you want to burn a
man or an animal, pour some oil over him and at once
he is set on fire. With this, they say, the Indian King
even takes cities that have risen against him; he
does not wait for battering-rams or penthouses or
any other siege-engines, for he burns them down and
captures them. He fills earthen vessels, each holding
one cotyle, with oil, seals them, and slings them from
above against the gates. When the vessels touch
the embrasures they are dashed into fragments;
the oil oozes down ; fire pours over the doors, and
nothing can quench it. And it burns weapons and
fighting men, so tremendous is its force. It is how-
ever allayed and put out if piles of rubbish are
poured over it.

Such is the account given by Ctesias of Cmdus.

i. The Porpoise is a creature like the dolphin, and -
it too has milk. Its colour is not black but resembles
very deep blue. It breathes not through gills but
through a blow-hole, for that is the name they give

1 kotvM} = about | pint.

5 Triller : airfojvrov .

6 TroXXm (f>opvrcp KaraxvOevTL.

7 ^chn: (ftdXaiva.

293

AELIAN

aw ol rod 7rv€Vfjbaros rfjv 6B6v. Biarpi^rj Be 6
Uovros avrfj Kal iKet OdXarra- TtXavdrai Be
(ja>vy x rjdwv €K€ivcov i^airepfjy rj <f>a)Kaiva z
rjKicrra.

5. ToV dppeva rj StfXeia viK-qaava opvis 3 iv rfj
li&XTI> dfipvveral re vfi ^Sovrjg teal KaOt-qai
K&XXaia* ovk is rocrovrov fiev is oaov Kal ol
dXeKrpvoves, Kadirjoi 8' odv, Kal ^povrjpLaros
VTTOmfjiTrXaratj Kal fiatvet fxaKporepa,

6. QiXoiKeiov 6 BeX<f>ls £tpov 7re7rtarevrac . Kal
to 5 fxaprvpLov, Alvos ion ttoXls ®pf}oaa. erv^ev
odv dXwvai BeX<f>Xva Kal rpcodTjvai [lev, ov purjv is
Qdvarov, aAA' (J)s} Q en piaxnfia etvai ra>
eaXcoKon. ovkovv ippvrj fiev atp,a 3 -rjaBovro Be
ol aOyparot, Kal d<f>iKovro is rov Xifxeva ayiX-q,
Kal KareaKiprwv, Kal <S^Aot> 7 fjadv rt Bpaaecov-
res ovk dyadov. 8 ol rotwv Kivioi eBeiaav Kal
a(f>rjKav rov eaXcoKora. Kal iKeivov KOfjutadfMevot
ws eVa rcdv KiqBearwv 9 &^ovro dmovres. aira-
vtcos 10 Se avdpooiTOs r\ olKeicp Bvcrrvxqo-avn rj
oiKela kowcovos cr7rovB7js Kal <j>povriBos.

7. 'Ev Alyv7Trcp 7rl9r)KOs y cos <j>iqaiv EvBt] fios,
iBiwKero, aiXovpot Be rjaav ol BtcoKovres. dvd
Kpdros odv aTroBtBpdcFKwv coppiqcrev evOv BevBpov
twos, ol Be Kal avrol dveOopov 11 wKtcrra- e^ovrai

1 <tw> add. B. 2 jgf^ . ^Xaiva.

8 opvtv. * KC1AA17.

6 rovrov to. « ^ s y ^ # #

7 <(S^Aot> add. Cobet.

294

ON ANIMALS, V. 4-7

to its air-passage. The Porpoise frequents Pontus
and the sea round about, and rarely strays beyond its
familiar haunts.

5. When a Hen has defeated a cock-bird in battle ^ riong
it gives itself airs from sheer delight and lets down Hen
wattles, not however to the same extent as cocks,
although it does so and is filled with pride and struts

more grandly.

6. The Dolphin is believed to love its own kin, and ^P^ red
here is the evidence. Aenus is a city in Thrace. op m
Now it happened that a Dolphin was captured and
wounded, not indeed fatally, but the captive was still

able to live. So when its blood flowed the dolphins
which had not been caught saw this and came throng-
ing into the harbour and leaping about and were
plainly bent on some mischief. At this the people of
Aenus took fright and let their captive go, and the
dolphins, escorting as it might be some kinsman,
departed.

But a human being will hardly attend or give a
thought to a relative, be it man or woman, in mis-
fortune.

7. In Egypt, says Eudemus, a Monkey was being Monkey
pursued and Cats were the pursuers. So the Monkey and 0a
fled as fast as he could and made straight for a tree. ^
But the Cats also ran up very swiftly, for they cling to

8 dyadov h> €0et Se ijv, to cikos, kol avrovs vrfx^ al Kal
7rat8as avrcov. a w f

9 o>s . . . KijSear&i'] cos eratpcov eva rwv k. 17 yevet irpQcrr}-
Kovrmv.

10 andviov. 11 avveBopov.

AELIAN

yap rwv <f>Xoi<x)v } Kal eon Kal rovrois is BevBpa
em/Jara. 1 o Bk d>s rjXlcrKero ets cov 3 Kal ravra
V7TO iroXAcov, €K7TrjSa tov irpepvov 3 Kal kXoBqv
twos i7Tr}pT7]fusvov 2 Kal perewpov Xapbfiaverai
aKpov rats X e P Ql y Kai iy^parws ei^ero ovk eif
oXlyov ol Be aiXovpoi, <hs ovk rjv e<j>iKra avrots
en, eif dXXrjv B-qpav KareBpapbov . o Se Kara
TroXXrjv rfjv or7TovSr)v SieorwCero, eavrw o^etXmv
cos to etKos Cojdypta.

8. 'ApKJTOTeXrjs o<f>ecrcv exOpav etvat rrjv 'Aaru-
*rraXaiea)v yy\v Xeyei 3 Kaddirep Kal rrjv 'Prjveiav
rats yaXats 6 avros opoXoyei rjpXv. Kopcbvrj Be
is TTjv 'AOrjvalcw aKpoiroXw ovk (ecrrtv) 3 errt~
/k-ra. 4 r)p,i6vwv Be ^RXtv firjrepa ovk ipets, rj to
Xe%6ev \fsevB6s ioTiv.

9. *Pr}ywot,s Kal AoKpots is rrjv yrjv rrjv
dXArjXwv itapievai Kal yeojpyetv evairovBov iunv.
ov pfqv opoXoyovai tovtois ovBe is p^Lav voovat
Kal rrjv avrrjv ol rernyes ol rcovBe Kal ra>vBe 3
irrel tov pAv AoKpbv iv 'P^yta> atyrjXoTarov
€^ets 9 tov Be 'Prjytvov iv rots AoKpots d<f>a>v6rarov.
Kal rts r} atria rr\s roiavrrjs dvnBoaeojs 5 iyo)
p,ev ovk otBa ovBe aAAoy, el pur} pdrrjv Opaavvoiro*
oiBe Be, a> e P?yytvot Kal AoKpoL 3 puovrj rj <f>vots.
itorapos yovv rrjs re 'Pyytvcov Kal tv}$ AoKpLBos

1 imfiarov. 2 vinqprr^iivov.

3 <effrtv> add. H. 4 empaTov.

5 rottavrrjS a.fxo^rjBQv els tyjv atWTrrjv avri§6cr€<o$.

396

ON ANIMALS, V. 7-9

the bark and can also climb trees. But as he was
going to be caught, being one against many, he leapt
from the trunk and with his paws seized the end of an
overhanging branch high up and clung to it for a long
while. And since the Cats could no longer get at
him, they descended to go after other prey. So the
Monkey was saved by his own considerable exertions,
and it was to himself, as was proper, that he owed the
reward for his rescue.

8. Aristotle says a that the soil of Astypalaea h is fiaces

n. -n i t L .i/u hostile to

unfriendly to snakes ; just as, according to the same certain
writer, Rhenea is to martens. No crow can go up animals
on to the Acropolis at Athens. Say that Elis is the
mother of mules, and you say what is false.

Cicadas

9. There is an agreement between the people of
Rhegium and of Locris 4 that they shall have access and
to, and shall cultivate, one another's lands. But the Ehe e ium
Cicadas of the two territories do not agree to this and
are not of one and the same mind, for you will find
the Locrian Cicada is completely silent in Rhegium,
and the Cicada from Rhegium is absolutely voiceless
among the Locrians. What the cause of such an ex-
change may be neither I nor anyone else, save an
idle boaster, can say. Only to Nature, you men of
Rhegium and of Locris, is it known. At any rate
there is a river e separating the territories of Rhegium

a The passage is not in his extant works ; jr. 315 (Rose Arist.
pseudepigraphus, p. 331).

b Astypalaea and Rhenea are islands of the Cyelades.
c Cp. Hdt. 4. 30.

d The two towns lay some 35 mi. apart in the ' toe ' of Italy.
e The Caecinus acc. to Pans. 6. 6. 4, the Halex acc. to Strabo
6. 260 and others,

297

AELIAN

earl fieaos, Kal elpyovrai ye ovBe wXedpiaiu)
Biaorrjpbari 1 al oyQai, Kal opLO)? ovBerepoc 2
BtaTrerovrai avrov. Kal ev Ke^aXXrjvia 3 7rorap,6$
iarw, ownep ovv rrjs re evyovias tG>v rerrlycov
Kal rrjs ayovias air cos.

10. Tov fiaaiXea avrwv al pueXirrai rrpdov ovra
Kai rjpuepov real ojxov n Kal aKevrpov orav avrds
OLTroXcTTYj p^eraOeovcri re Kal Blwkovgi cf>vydBa rijs
a*PXys ovra. ptvy]Xarovai Be avrov aTropptfrcos,
Kal €K rrjs oapuTjs rrjs rrepl avrov alpovai, Kal e$
rrjv fiaaiXeLav eTtavdyovoiv eKovoaL re Kal fiovXo-
pbevat Kal rov rpoirov dydfxevac. Heiatarparov
Be i^rjXacrav 'ABrfvaioi Kal HvpaKocnot, 4 Aiovv-
aiov Kal dXAoi, d'XAovSj rvpdvvovs re Kal rrapavo-
fiovs ovras Kal re^y^v fiaatXLKrjv d-rroBel^acrOai
fvrj Bvvapt,evovs , rjirep ovv <j>iXav6pa)7rlare Kal rcov
vmjKomv earl 77 -pocrr acria.

11. MeXei to) fiaaiXel tow pueXtrrcov KeKoap,fj-
o9ai to crpLTjvos rov rpoirov rovrov. rd$ fiev
TTpoordrrei vBpo^opetv, rd$ Be evBov Kiqpla Bia-
TrXdrretv, rrjv ye purjv rplrr\v fiolpav €7rl rrjv
vopurjv TTpo'Cevac elra \ievroi dp.el^ovai rd epya
eK irepioBov KaXXiard <7to>s 5 aTroKpiBeiaiqs^ avros
Be 6 fiaoiXevs, diroxp?} ot rovrarv rrej>povriKevai
Kal vofXoOereiv ocra TTpoetnov Kara rovs pieydXovs
apxpvras, ovs ol <f>iX6oo(f)Oi (fuXovaw ovopid^eiv

1 diaorrjfJLaTi fi4a(p. 2 ovQirepoi.

4 SupaKou- MSS always,
6 ttcds.

298

ON ANIMALS, V. 9-1 1

and Locris, and the banks are not so much as a hun-
dred feet apart; for all that the Cicadas of neither
side fly across it. And in Cephallenia there is a river
which occasions both fertility and barrenness among
Cicadas.

10. Bees when forsaken by their King, who is at *»
once gentle and inoffensive and also stingless, give
chase and pursue after the deserter from the post of
rule. They track him down in some mysterious way
and detect him by means of the smell he diffuses and
bring him back to his kingdom of their own free will,
indeed eagerly, for they admire his disposition. But
the Athenians drove out Pisistratus* and the Syra-
cusans Dionysius,* and other states their rulers, since
they were tyrants and broke the laws and could not
exhibit the art of kingship which consists in loving
one's fellow-men and protecting one's subjects.

11. It is the concern of the King Bee that his hive The King .
should be regulated in the following manner. To sta te
some bees he assigns the bringing of water, to others

the fashioning of honeycombs within the hive, while
a third lot must go abroad to gather food. But after
a time they exchange duties in a precisely deter- ,
mined rotation. As to the King himself, it is enough
for him to take thought and to legislate for the mat-
ters that I mentioned above after the manner of great
rulers to whom philosophers like to ascribe simul-

« Tyrant of Athens 560 B.C., twice expelled but regained
power and held it till his death, 527 B.C.

& See below, ch, 15 n.

e Qow : dirOKpiBelaat {so H) fyXovaw oiKovpelv at TrptafivTarai
MSS, ikXovmv , . . TrpeopvTarat del. E.

299

AELIAN

troXtriKOvs re Kal fiaatXtKovs tovs avrovg- ra Si
aAAa -qair^afet Kal rov avrovpyetv d<f>etrat. edv Si
27 Xwov rats fieXtrrats pteraar7jvat ) rr\viKavra Kal
6 apxcov aTraXXdrrerat, /cat iav ptiv ert veos fj,
rjyetrat, at Si Xotrral eirovrat- 1 iav Si rrpeofivre-
pos, <f>opdSr}v epx^rai, KopttCovcrcov avrov pueXtrrcbv
aXXa>v. ai pueXtrrai hi vtto ovvQ^ari is virvov
rpirrovrai. orav Si So/ctJ Katpos etvat KaOevSetv,
6 2 fSaartXevs pua tt pour arret V7roo7)pL7]vai Kara-
Sapddvetv. Kal rj ptiv Tretcrdetaa rovro eKrjpv^ev,
at Si is koltov rpeirovrai ivrevdev, reojs jSo^tjSow-
aat. iws (p,ivy B ovv rrepleartv 6 fiacrtXevs,
evOeveirat 4 to crptijvos, Kal aYa£ta 7raaa rj^avlvOrj 3
/cat ol ptiv K7]<j>rjveg dyaTnrjrcbs iv rots iavrwv
Kvrrdpots rjavxaCovaw, at Si 5 irpevfivrepai Stat-
rGivrai 18 la, teal at viat iSla, /cat Ka9* iavrov 6
fiacrtXevs, Kal ai oxaSoves i<f>* eavrcbv eiot, /cat fj
Tpo<f>7} /cat at d<f)oSot x w P^' €?r€tSav Si 6 fiaviXevs
dTToXrjraL, dramas re /cat dvapx^as pteara rrdvra'
ot re yap Kr)<f>rjves rots rcov pueXtrrcbv Kvrrdpots
evrtKrovcrt, ra re Xot7rd iv dXXtfXots <f>vp6pueva
evOevetaOat ra> apJp>ei to Xomov ovk eirvrpenef
Sta<j)6eLpovr at Si reXevrwoat iprjpttq, dpxovros.
filov Si Kadapov £77 pteXtrra, Kal foW ovk dv
ovSevos rrdoatro wore* Kal ov Selrai UvOayopov
avfApovXov ovSi ev> drroxpr) Si dpa airov avrrj
elvai ra dvOrj. eart Si Kal croj^poovvrjv aKpordrrj.
xXiSrjv yovv Kal dpvtptv pteptlo-qKe. Kal to ptaprv-
ptov, rov xp^dptevov ptvpa) Std)t<et re Kal iXavvet
cos* rroXep.tov aviqKeara Spdaavra. otSe Si Kal rov

1 ayovTCLt. % 6 fi4v.

5 <jueV> add. H.

300

ON ANIMALS, V. 11

taneously the qualities of a citizen and of a king.
For the rest he lives at ease and abstains from
physical labour. If however it is expedient for the
bees to change their dwelling, then the ruler. departs,
and if he happens to be still young, he leads the way
and the rest follow; if however he is elderly, he is
carried on his way and conveyed by other bees.

At a signal bees retire to slumber. When it seems
to be time to go to sleep the King commands one bee
to give the signal for going to rest. And the bee
obeys and gives the word, whereupon the bees that
have been buzzing till then retire to bed. Now so
long as the King survives, the swarm nourishes and
all disorder is suppressed. The drones gladly remain
at rest in their cells, the older bees dwell in their
quarters apart, the young in theirs, the King by
himself, and the larvae in their own place. Their
food and their excrement are in separate places. ,
But when the King dies, disorder and anarchy fill the
place ; the drones produce offspring in the cells of the
bees ; the general confusion no longer permits the
swarm to thrive, and finally the bees perish for want
of a ruler.

The Bee leads a blameless life and would never The Bee, its
touch animal food. It has no need of Pythagoras for llfe
counsellor, but flowers afford it food enough. It is in
the highest degree temperate ; at any rate it abhors
luxury and delicate living ; witness the fact that it
pursues and drives away a man who has perfumed
himself, as if he were some enemy who has perpe-
trated actions past all remedy. It recognises too a

4 et-pyvy euffop'-.

5 re.

301

AELIAN

iXSovra 1 i£ aKoXdurov SfxiXlas, 2 Kal BicoKec Kal
€K€lvov ota hrjTTOV eyQiaTov. Kal dvBpecas Be ed
r\Kovui koX drpe7TT0L elaiv, ovBe ev yovv £a>ov
dTroBiBpduKovcrw , ovBe purjv K&Krj etKovat, ^ojpotfCTt
Be o/xocre. Kal rrpos pikv rovs purj ivo^ovvras
fjbrjSe ap%ovTas dBiKcov purjBe rq> opjr\vei TTpoaiovras
KaKovpycos Kal avv imfiovX-r} elprjvala avraXs Kal
kvGTTOvha iarc, iroXepos Be aKiqpvKTOS to qBopuevov
rovro ivl rovs Xv7rovvras i^dirrerat,, Kal ocrns
r\Kei Kepatcrwv to p,eXi avrais s is rovs exOpovs
rjpldfMrjrai ovros. iratovaL Be Kal rovs cr<f>rjKas
KaKcbs. Aeyet Be ^ApLuroreXrjs on Kal Itrrrel 3
irore evrvxovaai rrpos rep opsqvei drreKrewav avrov
emOepievai Kara to Kaprepov al peXirrai avrco
tinTip. r\Br\ fievTOL Kal 7rpd$ dXXrjXas Bia<f>epovrai, 3
/cat at BwarcLrepat Kparovoi ra>v rjrrovcov. Kpa-
rovcri Be chs aKovco avrwv ol re <f>pvvot Kal ol Ik
rtov reXparcov fidrpaxoi ol re p^epoires Kal al
XeXiBoves, 7roXXaKis ye prjv Kal ol acf>fjKes. Sons
rovraw eKpdrrjae, KaS/xetav a>s ye elaeiv rrjv
vikt]v ivLK7]o-e' Traiopbevoi yap Kal Kevrovpevoi
KaKws diraXXdrrovaLv etui yap ov fielov ra>
Qvp,(p rj rots Kevrpois amXiGpevai. ovk dpuoipovcFL
Be ovBe rvjs is to -rrpop^qdes ao<f>ias, Kal 'A/hoto-
reXrjs reKp/iqptoi o Xeya). eon Be roiovrov.
eXOovoat peXirrai 4 em ri opbrjvos ovk oiKelov

1 trpooehQovTa.

2 GLKoXacrias re Kal ofuXias rfjs irpos riva.

3 Reishe : Xir-rrcp. 4 at p.

a The ' horseman * is an addition of Aelian's.

b Two explanations are given : (i) Cadmus slew a dragon
set by Ares to guard a well. 3?rom its teeth sprang armed
302

ON ANIMALS, V. n

man who comes from an unchaste bed, and him also
it pursues, as though he were its bitterest foe. And its courage
Bees are well-endowed with courage and are un-
daunted. For instance, there is not a single animal
from which they flee; they are not mastered by
cowardice but go to the attack. Towards those who
do not trouble them or start to injure them or who
do not approach the hive bent on mischief and with
evil intent they show themselves peaceful and
friendly; but against those who would injure them
the fires of a truceless war, as the phrase goes, are
kindled; and anyone who comes to plunder their
honey is reckoned among their enemies. And they
sting even wasps severely. And Aristotle records its sting
[HA 626 a 21] how Bees once finding a horseman a
near the hive attacked him violently and slew both
him and his horse. And further, they fight with one
another, and the stronger party defeats the weaker.
But I learn that toads and frogs from pools, bee- its enemies
eaters, and swallows defeat them, and frequently
wasps do so too. Yet the victor achieves what you
might call a Cadmean victory, 6 for he comes off badly
from their blows and stings, since the Bees are armed
with courage no less than with stings. But Bees are
not without a share of the wisdom of foresight, and
Aristotle vouches for my statement [HA 626 b 12]
thus. Some Bees came to a hive that was not theirs
but a different one and proceeded to plunder the

men who would have fallen upon C. had he not prevailed upon
them to kill one another, (ii) Eteocles the defender, and
Polynices the assailant of Thebes, the city founded by Cadmus,
slew each other in battle. The Thebans were victorious but
were later driven out by the descendants of the ' Septem
contra Thebas.'

303

AELIAN

dX\a erepov, etra to fjurjhev crfacri, irpoa^Kov
€K€pcuCov pueXi. at he kolltoi crvXcofievat rov a<f>e~
repov 7t6vov, opuws iveKapripovv rjo-vxfj drpepLov-
aai } eira jxevrot to jxeXXov iyKparats iKapahoKow .
eirei he 6 p.eXirrovpyos rds iroXXas rwv ixOptov
arreKreivev, at evhov Karayvovaat, on apa hvvavrat,
a^ioiriaroi elvat trpos rrjv T V V icronakij ,

irpoeXBovaai rear rjpLvvavro, Kal Swcas wnrprr^uav
virep &v iavXtjdrjcrav ovhap,a>s pLep,7rra$ .

12. Kal tovto he (f>iXepyias * Tvjs tG>v 2 /xeAtr-
t&v fxaprvpeov. 3 iv yovv rots x €l ^P l ^drois twv
XO)pca)V fMera UXeidhcov hvcrfids is IvrjpLepLav
rjpivrjv StareXovaiv otKovpovaat re Kal evhov
arpefxovaat dXeas ttoOco Kal <j>vyfj plyovs at
fieXirrar rov he aXAov x?^ vov T °v erovs iravra
dpylav re 4 Kal rjavxcav puaovcri, Kal Kapuetv elaiv
ayaOal. Kal ovk dv wore Xhots fSXaKevovaav
peXirrav rijs Spas €Ketv7]s e£<o iv fj /xaA/aet 5 ra
fieXr).

13. Fetofierpiav he Kal KaXXr] axrjpidrojv Kal
(bpatas TtXdaeis avrwv dvev rexvrjs re Kal kovovcov
Kai rod KoXovpLevov vtto rcov aocf>6jv hiafitfrov 6
aTToheiKvvvTai at fieXcrrat. orav he. iTrcyovf] 77
Kai evBevfj rats fieXlrrais to opLTjvos, iKTrepbtrov-
aw 7 atanep ovv at jjueyLurat re Kal rroXvavhpov-
fievat, rcov TToXeouv. olhe he apa rj pLeXirra Kal

1 ryjs ^tAepytas.

2 Jac: rrjs ft. L, rcov p. other MSS.

3 TO fiapTVptOV,

4 iiiv.

3°4

ON ANIMALS, V. n-13

honey which did not belong to them.- But the Bees
which were being despoiled of their labours never-
theless remained quiet and waited patiently to
see what would happen. Then, when the bee-
keeper had killed the greater number of the
enemy, the Bees in the hive realised that they
were in fact sufficient to sustain an equal combat
and emerged to strike back, and the penalty which
they exacted for the robbery left nothing to cavil at.

12. Here is further evidence of the industry -of ^Bee, its
Bees In the coldest countries from the time when

the Pleiads have set" until the vernal equinox they
continue at home and stay quiet in the hive, longing
for the warmth and shunning the cold. But for the
rest of the year they abhor indolence and repose and
are good at hard labour. And you would never see a
Bee idling unless it were during the season when their
limbs are numb with cold.

13. Bees practise geometry and produce their £b Bee,
graceful figures and beautiful conformations without

lay theory or rules of art, without what the learned
call a 1 compass.' And when their numbers increase
and the swarm thrives they send out colonies jusT as glomes
the largest and most populous cities do. Now the
Bee knows when there is rain that threatens to per- as weaker-
sist, and when there will be a gale. But if surprised
About the beginning of November.

6 Schn : imXaKiel. f y < t , .

« BtajS^Tou ^ k6XKlotov a X W^ v ^aycovov r<r Kai efrTrtevpov
Kai iaoydyviov.

7 Kal els anoLKlav eKTrefMnovaiv.

305

AELIAN

verov aireLkovvTos eVtS?j/ztav /cat okXtjpov 7rvedp&
icofievov. el Be avrfj rrapd Bogav yevovro to rod
TTveviiaros, oif/ec <f>ipovoav XLdov eKdorrjv d,Kpoi$
rot? TTocrlv epfia etvat. 1 oirep Be 6 6 etos UXdr ojv
rrepl rcov rerriyoyu Xeyei /cat rijs eWiw faXcpBlas
re /cat <f>iXofiovatas , rovr dv /cat -rrepl rod rwv
fie\i,Tra)v x°P°v eiTTOi rts*. orav yovv aKLprrjao)-
atv rj TrXavrjOwatv, evravOa ol vpLTjvovpyoi Kporovai
Kporov nvd i^eXrj re /cat avpufjieXf}' at Be d)s
vtto Hetprjvos eXKovrcu, /cat ^eWot /cat VTroorpe-
<j>ovaiv is rfir\ ra ot/ceta avdts.

14. 'Ev rfj Yvdpcp 2 rfj vrjcrcp 'ApLcrroreXrjs
Xeyet p,vs elvai /cat \ievroi /cat ri)v yrjv aireiuOai
rfy <xt$7]pmv. 'Apwras Be /cat rovs iv Tepr^Bovi
(yrjs B Be eunv avr-q rrjs Ba/?uAcWas ) tt)v &vrr)v
7rpop<f>epeo9ai Xeyet.

JEv Adrpcp^Be rrjs Kaplas aKovco OKOpTtiovs
etvat, oirrep odv rovs pkv <rroXlras g^lcti Traiovviv
is ddvarov, rovs Be fjevovs rjovxrj /cat oaov rrapa-
vx&v ^6ha&]oti6v, ifMol BoKelv 4 rov Eevlov Atoy
rot? d<f>LKvovfievocs to Bwpov rovro aTTOKpivavros .

15. Bao-tAetWrat Se dpa /cat cr^J/ces, aAA' ov
rypavvovvr ai <hs dvOpojiroi. /cat to paprvpiov,
aKevrpoi^ /cat otSe ettrt. /cat ol p,ev virrfKooi ri
kpya trXdrrew avrois vo\xov e'xovcrtv, ol Be dpxovres
elai BijrXdaioi pev to fieyedos, -rrpaoi Be /cat otot
p-jre Jftovres Xvrrecv ex^w p^re attovres. tls o$v
ovk dv [iLvrjoreie 5 Aiovvolovs tovs eV St/ceAta /cat

1 etvat teat fiy ararpeWaflat.

2 Eohtein : flapy.

3° 6

ON ANIMALS, V. 13^15

by a wind, you will see every Bee carrying a pebble
between the tips of its feet by way of ballast. What
the divine Plato says [Pkaedr. 230 c, 259 b] of cicadas
and their love of song and music one might equally its love of
say of the choir of Bees. For instance, when they S0Dg
frolic and roam abroad, then the bee-keepers make a
clashing sound, melodious and rhythmical, and the
Bees are attracted as by a Siren and come back again
to their own haunts*

14 (i). In the island of Gyarus Aristotle says [Mir. gatsin ^
832 a 22] that there are Rats and that they actually T ^™ n a n
eat iron ore. And Amyntas says that the Bats of
Teredon (this is in Babylonia) adopt the same food. 6

(ii). I am told that on Latmus in Caria there are scorpions
Scorpions which inflict a fatal sting on their fellow-
countrymen ; strangers however they sting lightly
and just enough to produce an itching sensation.
This in my opinion is a boon bestowed upon visitors
by Zeus, Protector of the Stranger.

15. Wasps also are subject to a King, but not, as
men are, to a despot. Witness the fact that their
Kings also are stingless. And their subjects have a
law that they shall construct their combs for them.
But although the rulers are twice the size of a subject,
yet they are gentle and of a nature incapable
of doing an injury either willingly or unwillingly.
Who then would not detest the Dionysii of

One of the Cyclades, some 40 mi. SEE of Attica.
6 Qp. 17. 17.

3 Eolstein : yrj.
6 fjuarjo?} or -at.

4 Schn : So«et.

3°7

AELIAN

KXeapxov top iv c Hpa/cAeta Kal ' A-noAXoScDpov
tov KaaavSpiwv AevuTTjpa Kal tov Aa/ceSai^oi/tW
\vp,€a>va tov Na/Ja^ elye ol jikv i8dppovv toj

£l<f>€l, TW 8e <XK€VTpCp KClX Tjj TTpaOTTfl Ol T&V

16. AiyovTai Be ol twv G<fyn]Ka>v K€KevTpa>fjL€POL
Kal €K€ivo Spav. otov OedocovTcu veKpav extSvav,

01 Se €fl7TL7TT0VCrt Kal (f>appL(XTTOVO-C TO K€VTpOV.

o6ev jjbot SoKovat puaSelp /cat ol dvd porno c ju-a^/^a,
Kal tovto ovk dyaOov. Kal fievTot Kal (JbapTvpei
iv 'OSucraeta "Ofjurjpos Xiycov

<j>dpixaKov dv8po<f>6vov Si^tyuevos', o<j>pa ol e'lrj
lovs ypUadai xakKrjpeas ,

rj Kal vrj Ala et rt Sec to> 7T€pl 'KpaKAeovs Xoycp
TTpovixzw, <a»s*> 1 €K€ivo$ e^aifse to> t?J? "YBpas lh
tovs oLarovg, ovtoj toi Kal £k€lvoi Trj fia<f>fj rd
KevTpa VTroOfjyovocv . 2

17. "EcrTw Se 3 Kal Trj puvLa nap* r)p,a>v yepas
p,-?) dfioLprjaat 4 tt)s pbvf]ii7j£ tt)s ivTavda- (frvcrecos
ydp tol Kal €Keivr} TrkdopLa ecrrtV. at fxvtaL at
UcaaTtSes KaTa ttjv t&v 'OAvijlttIojv iopTrjv <I)$

dv €17T0LS O7T€vh0VTai Kal TOIS d(f>lKVOVfl€VOLS Kal

1 (<v$y add. Jac. 2 imdtfyovotv.

3 Se rt.

4 yepas Kal gIkotcos ct fir) d/iotpijaet.

° Dionysius the elder, c. 430-367 B.C., elected general and
ruler of Syracuse, extended his power oyer Sicily and parts of
Magna Graecia ; represented as a tyrant of the worst kind. —
Dionysius the younger succeeded his father, 367 B.C. Ejected

308

ON ANIMALS, V. 15-17

Sicily,* Clearehus of Heraclea, Apollodorus the
oppressor of Cassandrea, Nabis the scourge of Sparta,
if they trusted in the sword, when the King Wasps
trust to their lack of sting and to their gentle nature ?

16. This is what Wasps that are armed with a sting The Wasp
are said to do. When they observe a dead viper they ^on
swoop upon it and draw poison into their sting. It is

from this source, I fancy, that men have acquired

that knowledge, and no good knowledge either.

And Homer is witness to the fact when he says in

the Odyssey [1. 261]

'Seeking a deadly drug, that he might have
wherewithal to smear his bronze-tipped arrows.'

Or again, to be sure (if one can trust the story), just
as Heracles dipped his arrows in the venom of the
Hydra, so do Wasps dip and sharpen their sting.

17. Let not the Fly lack the honour of a mention The Ply
in this record of mine, for it too is Nature's handi-
work. f\i

The Flies of Pisa at the season of the Olympic
festival make peace, so to speak, both with visitors

from Sicily, he made himself Tyrant of Locris— and deserved
the title. Recovered Syracuse by treachery but was again
expelled in 345 B.C., by Thnoleon. —Clearehus by cham-
pioning the cause of the people against the nobles of Heraclea
obtained the tyranny. After a reign of 12 years marked by
signal cruelty he was murdered, 353 B.C.— ApoUodorus, tyrant
of Cassandrea, 3rd cent. B.C., became a byword for cruelty ;
conquered and executed by Antigonus Gonatas .--Nabis usurped
the kingship of Sparta, which he exercised with the utmost
savagery; defeated by Philopoemen and Flaminmus m his
efforts to regain lost territory ; finally murdered, 192 b,c.

3°9

AELIAN

rots i7TV)(Q)piois . lepetcov yovv KaraOvoptevcov too*-
ovrcov /cat alfzaros iKxeopuevov /cat Kpeptaptevcov
Kpecov at Se d<f>avt£ovrat eKovaat, /cat rod y €
*AA<f>€Lov irepaiovvrat is rrjv avrnripas oxOrjv.
/cat eot/caat row yvvatKtov rcov eTrtxcopicov StaA-
Xdrretv ovSe dXLyov, el ptrj apa rt iyKparearepat
at fMvlai e/cetrat rcov yvvatKtov optoXoyovvrat rots
epyo&- rag pev yap 6 rrjs dycovtas /cat rrjs Kar
avrrjv aco<f>poavvr}s vojjlos iXavvet rds yvvaiKas, 1
at fivcat Se eKovcrap rocs iepots d<f>Ccrravrat } /cat h
likv rats Upovpytacs /cat Trapd rov rcov dOXcov
Xpovov rov vevopLiaptevov diraXXdrrovrat. Xvro
aycov, at Se irrtBiqpLovGLV , coairep o$v KaOoSov
rvxovaai ^^ta/xart <f>vyd$es, etra imppeovcnv is
rrjv ^HXtv at ptvtat a$9ts. 2

^ 18. *0 optjxhs 3 OaXdrnov fa>oV iert, /cat et
eXots /cat dvarep,ots, ovk dv thots reOvecora <napa-
XPW a Q>vr6v 3 dAAa iirtXap^^dvet rrjs Kivtfaecos /cat
ovk iif oXiyov. Std x €l l^vos Se iv rots <f>coXeots
otfcovpwv xat/><:r Starptfiai Se apa at npos rrj yfj
ptdXXov (f>tXat avrto.

19. Avkos 6p,6ae ravpcp x<o/>etv /cat levat ol
Kara Trpoaomov rjKiaros eart/ Se'Sot/ce Be rd
Kepara /cat rds aKfids avrcov iwevet. /cat cos i£
evdetas ol fxaxovptevos d-netXeL* ov pirjv Spa rovro,
dXXd a>anep odv iTrtOrjaoptevos V7ro<f>alvet, etra
\hevrot Trpowrreaovros 6 Be eavrov iijeXiijas is rd
vtora dveOope, /cat iyKparcos e^eTat rod drjpos 6
1 ras yvvaiKas del. Cobet.

310

ON ANIMALS, V. 17-19

and with the local inhabitants. At any rate, despite
the multitude of sacrifices, the quantity of blood shed
and of flesh hung out, the Flies disappear of their avoWsthe
own free will and cross to the opposite bank of the Games
Alpheus. And they appear to differ not a whit from
the women there, except that their behaviour shows
them to be more self-restrained than the women.
For while women are excluded by the rules of train-
ing and of continence at that season, the Flies of their
own free will abstain from the sacrifices and absent
themselves while the ceremonies are in progress and
during the recognised period of the Games. ' Then
was the assembly ended ' [Horn. 11 24. 1] and the
Flies come home, just like exiles whom a decree has
allowed to return, and once again they stream into
Elis.

18. The Great Sea Perch is a marine creature, and gjgjg
if you were to catch and cut it up, you would not then

and there see it dead, but it retains the power of
movement, and for a considerable time. All through
the winter it likes to remain at home in its caverns,
and its favourite resorts are near the land.

19. The Wolf does not dare to close with a Bull and wolf and
to meet it face to face ; he is afraid of its horns and
avoids their points. So he makes a feint of attacking

the Bull frontally ; he does not however attack but
gives the appearance of being about to try ; and
then when the Bull makes a rush at him, the Wolf
slips aside and leaps on its back and clings with might
and main, beast wrestling with beast. And the Wolf

3 dp<£ds.

4 e<m koX cIkotcds.

AELIAN

Or) p 6 avTiTTokoSy Kal KaTtcrxvet avrov crofaa
<f>v<JiKrj to ivSeov avaKOVfJizvos 6 Xvkos-

20. "Ovos 6 OaXdmos iv rfj yacrrpl rr)v Kaphlav
iXaxeu ex €lv > °^ Seivol ra rocavra 1 o/aoAo-
yovow rjfjuv Kal SiSdoKovow,

21. e O racos otSev opvlBcav (hpaioraros <x>v y Kal
ev8a ol to KahXos KaOrjTai, Kal tovto ot8e, Kal
err* avTcp KOfia Kal aofiapos iaTt,, Kal OappeZ tol$

7TT€p0lS, a7T€p OVV aVTCp Kal KOGfJLOV TTepLTLOrjVl,

Kal TTpos tovs e^coOev <f>6^ov wnooriXXei, Kal iv
a>pa depeia) ok€7T7]v oIkoOgv Kal ovk rjrr\\iivriv
ov8i oOveLav trapixerai. idv yovv deXrjor) fofirjoat
Tiva, eyetpas ra ovpata efra SieaeiaaTo Kal
aireaTetXev rj^ov, Kal eSetaav ol rrapeuTCOTes 3 <h$

OTtXLtOV TOV €K TCOV 07tXwV 7T€<f>of3r}fJ,€VOl SoV7TOV.

dvaTeivet Se tt)v K€<f>aXr)v Kal irrwevet, ooftapaiTaTa,
a>OTT€p ovv imaeiajv TpiXojtiav. SerjOeCs ye p,r\v
i/fvxdaat, ra 7TT<=pa iydpei, Kal is TOVfiTrpoadev
eiriKklvas ov[i(f>va oKidv aTrohetKWTai tov ISlov
cra>p,aTO$ tt)v <xKp,y)v tt)v £k tt}s aKTivos amooTiyayv.
el Se e'er) Kal avefios KaTomv, r\ovxq SucrTrjoi ra
7TT€pd- Kal to 7TV€vpLa <to> 2 Siappiov avpas oi
paXaKas Kal r)SicrTas hrunviov dva^vx^w tov op-
viv SlSojctlv. €Traiv€dels Se aladdvcTai, Kal wairep
odv r) Trots koXos rj yvvr) copata to fjudXiaTa TtXeove-
ktovv 3 tov adijiaTos irrtSetKvvcrtv, ovtw tol Kal
€K€lvos ra 7TTepa iv Kovp,(p Kal kotol OTo?xpv op-
dot, Kal €0iK€v dvdrjpw Aet/xcDw rj ypa<f)fj 7T€ttoikiX-

1 Jac ; 3etvprar?t avr4, ? <ro> add. B.

3 1 *

ON ANIMALS, V. 19-21

overpowers it and by native cunning makes good his
lack of strength,

20. The Hake has its heart in its belly, as ex- The Hake
perts in these matters agree and inform us.

21 . The Peacock knows that it is the most beautiful The Peacock
of birds ; it knows too wherein its beauty resides ; it

prides itself on this and is haughty, and gathers con-
fidence from the plumes which are its ornament and
which inspire strangers with terror. In summertime
they afford it a covering of its own, unsought, not
adventitious. If, for instance, it wants to scare
somebody it raises its tail-feathers and shakes them
and emits a scream, and the bystanders are terrified,
as though scared by the clang of a hoplite's armour.
And it raises its head and nods most pompously, as
though it were shaking a triple plume at one.
When however it needs to cool , itself it raises its
feathers, inclines them in a forward direction and dis-
plays a natural shade from its own body, and wards
off the fierceness of the sun's rays. But if there is a
wind behind it, it gradually expands its feathers, and
the breeze which streams through them, blowing
gently and agreeably, enables the bird to cool itself.
It knows when it has been praised, and as some
handsome boy or lovely woman displays that feature
which excels the rest, so does the Peacock raise its
feathers in orderly succession; and it resembles a
flowery meadow or a picture made beautiful by the
many hues of the paint, and painters must be pre-
pared to sweat in order to represent its special

3 TT^eoveKTovv els wpav.

3*3

AELIAN

fievr} TToXvxpoiq rfj rwv <f>apjxaKa)v , Kal IBpcbs Trpo-
Keirai £ayypa<f)Qis eiKaoai rijs <f>vcrecos to ZBlov,
Kal ottcos exet, tt}$ is rrjv irrlBei&v d<j>9ovlas
TrapiGTrjaw- id yap iinrXrj crdrjvaL rrjs Bias rovs
Trapeorwras, Kal eavrov ireptdyei BecKvvs faXono-

VOJS TO Tfjs 7TT€pd>(T€<jOS -7ToXvfXOp(f>OV, V7T€p T7}V rC0V

MrjBcov io-drjra Kal ra <7W> 1 Uepawv TTOLKiXpuara
T7}v eavrov uroXrjv d7roBeiKvvfievos eKetvos ye
oofiapcorara. Xeyerat Be 4k fiapfidpoov is TEAA^vas
KOiiLuBrivai. Kal xpovov ttoXXov uirdvios a>v etra
eBeiKvvro rcov dvdpcoTrwv rocs faXoKaXois pLiodov.
Kal 'ABrfv/joi ye rats vovpsqviais iMyovro Kal
dvBpas Kal yvvaiKas iirl rrjv loroplav avr&v, Kal
rrjv Beav irpoaoBov etxov. irifiwvro Be rov
dppeva Kal rov BrjXvv Bpaxficov \wpio}v i <hs *A^-
n<f>(ov iv rep rrpos ^Epaalarparoy Xoycp <f>r}vL. Bet
Be Kal BtTrXrjs olKias rfj rpo<f>fj avrwv, Kal <f>povpa>v
re Kal pLeXeBa>v&v . 'Opnjcnos Be 6 'Pcofiatos
KaraOvaas irrl Belrrvco rawv 7rpa>ros eKpcdrj.
'AXegavBpos Be 6 MaKeBcbv iv 'IvBots lB<hv rovcrBe
rovs opvidas i^€7rXdyy] } Kal rov koXXovs Bavfjbdcras
rjrreiXrjae rep Karadvaavn racov wneiXds fiapvrdras.

22. y Es rovs ifwKrrjpas orav oi p,ves eybTreawoiv ,
dvavevaai Kal dveXQetv ov Bwdpevoi, rds aXXrjXtov
ovpds ivBaKovres etra e<j>iXKovai rov Bevrepov 6
TTpibros Kal 6 Bevrepos rov rplrov. ovro) puev Brj
Kal rovrovs aXXrjXois crvpLfiax^tv Kal i^riKovpeiv rj
ao(f)a>rdrrj <f>vcri$ i^erraiBevuev \

314

ON ANIMALS, V. 21-22

characteristics. And it proves how ungrudgingly it
exhibits itself by permitting bystanders to take their
fill of gazing, as it turns itself about and industriously
shows off the diversity of its plumage, displaying
with the utmost pride an array surpassing the gar-
ments of the Medes and the embroideries of the
Persians. It is said to have been brought to Greece
from foreign lands. And since for a long while it was
a rarity, it used to be exhibited to men pf taste for a
fee, and at Athens the owners used on the first day
of each month to admit men and women to study
them, and they made a profit by the spectacle.
They used to value the cock and the hen at ten
thousand drachmas," as Antiphon says in his speech
against Erasistratus.* For their maintenance a
double establishment and custodians and keepers are
needed. Hortensius the Roman was judged to have
been the first man to slaughter a Peacock for a ban-
quet. But Alexander of Macedon was struck with
amazement at the sight of these birds in India, and
in his admiration of their beauty threatened the
severest penalties for any man who slew one.

22. When Mice fall into cooling-vessels, since they JJ™^
cannot get out by swimming, they fasten their teeth drowning
into one another's tails, and then the first pulls the
second and the second the third. In this way has
Nature in her supreme wisdom taught them to
combine and help one another.

« About £375.

* The speech is lost, but see Atnen. 9. 397 c, d.

1 <V<£v)> add. H*

AELIAN

23. 'EAAo^CaortV ol KpOKoBlXoi TOVS vhp€V0fx4~

vovs e/c rod NetAov rov rpoTtov rovrov. <j>pvyava
iavrols im^aXovres 1 Kal hi avrcov ipL^Xirrovres
e?ra VTroviovai rots <f>pvydvois* ol Se d<j>iKvovvrai
K€pd[xca rj KaXrreis rj 7rp6)(ovs Kop,l£ovr€s. etra
apvrofj,€vov$ 2 avrovs vrreKSvvres rcov (frpvydvcoy
Kal rfj oxOrj 7Tpo(Tava7T7]hrjaavT€s dprrayfj ficaco-
rdrrj avXXafiovres e%ouat hevnvov. KaKias Brj /cat
Travovpylas KpoKoBlXoyv avfi<j>vovs eiprjrat pt,oi rd
vvv ravra.

24. Aaycos SeSot/ce Kvvas kal \iivroi Kal dXd>7rr)£,
Kal ttov {/cat) 3 avv iyelpovcFw* e/c rrjs Xox^s at
aurat rfj vXaKrj, /cat Xeovra €7TLGTp4(/>ovcri, /cat
eXa<f>ov StcoKovotv opvldosv ok ovoe els wpav
7T0L€Lrai kvvo$ 3 aAA* avrots rrpos avrovs 5 evorrovBd
ecTTt. fjbovrj Se rj oorls 7r4<j)pLKe Kvvas. to Se
atTtoVj jSapetat re etox /cat crapKWV oyKov 7T€picf>€-
povaiv. ovkow avrds alpei re Kal iXa<f>pl£ei Ta
rrrepa paoicos, Kal Bed rovro rarreival rterovrai
Kal Kara) irepl yfjv, fipiOovros rov oyKov avrds.
aipovvrai Be vnd rcov kwcov 7roXXdKLs. orrep
iavraZs awetSvtat, orav aKOvaojcrtv vXaKrjs, is
rovs ddfjivovs Kal ra eXr] Karadiovvi, TTpofiaX-
Xdfievai eavrcov ravra, Kal pvopuevai a<j)ds e/c rcov
rrapovrcov Kal pidXa evrropcos.

25. 'O^re rovs yeivapivovs dvOpoirros yvoopl^eiv
dpxeraty BiBaoKofxevos Kal olovel KaravayKa£6p,€-
vos 6 is ifarepa opdv Kal firjrepa darrd^ eoOat Kal
oIk€lois irpoG-jjLeiB.Lav ol Se dpves rrepl ras fjirjrepas

1 eVtjSaAAovres-, 2 apvofi4vov$,

316

ON ANIMALS, V. 23-25

23. This is the way in which Crocodiles lie in wait ^ e codUe
for those who draw water from the Nile : they cover
themselves with driftwood and, spying through it,
swim up beneath it. And the people come bringing
earthen vessels or pitchers or jugs. Then, as men
draw water, the creatures emerge from the drift-
wood, leap against the bank, and seizing them with
overpowering force make a meal of them. So much

for the innate wickedness and villainy of Crocodiles.

24. The Hare dreads Hounds, and so too does the ^||^ a d r s d
Fox. And Hounds, I fancy, with their barking will

rouse a boar from the brake, and will bring a lion to
bay, and pursue a stag. Yet there is not a single
bird that cares anything for a Hound, but there is
peace between them. The Bustard alone is afraid
of Hounds, the reason being that these birds are
heavy and carry a burden of flesh about with them.
Their wings do not easily lift them and carry them
through the air, so they fly low along the ground,
weighed down by their bulk. Hence they are fre-
quently captured by Hounds. And since they are
aware of this, whenever they hear the bark of
Hounds, they run away into thickets and swamps,
using these as a protection and escaping instant
danger without difficulty.

25. The human child is slow to recognise its The Lamb
parents : it is taught and, one might say, compelled

to look at its father, to greet its mother, and to smile
upon its relatives. Whereas Lambs from the day of

3 <fcat> add, H. 4 J«c : owzydpovow.

s Trap' avr&v. 6 Meiske : Karq&onevos.

3*7

AELIAN

rnqBayaiv arro yeveas, Kal lgclol to re SOveiov /cat
to oiKeiov, /cat 7rapa ra>v vopuecov fiaOetv Seovrai

OVOG GV,

26. MifjurjAorarov ionv 6 rrldrjKos £<pov, /cat
rrav 6 rt av ii<$i$d£r]s ra>v hid rov achpLaros
rrparropbivwv 6 Se elverai, aKpifiobs, tva ortSet-
£t)tcu 1 avro. d/rj^etrat 2 yovv, idv p*ddri s /cat
auAet, €av eKOLOagTjs . €yco be /cat Tyvtas Kare^ovra
etdov /cat imfiaXXovra rrjv pbdcmya /cat iXavvovra.
/cat aAAo S' aV rt fiaOcbv /cat aAAo oi5 hiaifsevaairo
toV StSafavTa- oilrcos apa rj <f>v<ji$ ttolklXov re /cat
evrpdrreXov iortv*

27. "IStat Se /cat $id<f>opoi rwv fakov /cat atSe 3
at <f>var€L$. rovs iv rot? BtoraArat? Xayws tWAa
TfTrara c^ew QeoTropLrros Xiyet. ras 8* Aepcp
p,eXeayplbas vtro purfievos a8t/cetcr0at rcov yapbifjo)-
voyuxv opvicov Xeyei "largos', rovs Be iv Nevpots
/Jous 'ApiGToreXrjs <f>rjolv eiA rwv abpicov ^X eiv T( *
Kepara, ^AyaOapx^s Be rds iv AldiOTtLa d$
Kepara e^etv. Ticoarparos Be rovs iv rfj KvXArjvrj
Koacrv<f>ovs irdvras Xeyei XevKovs. 9 AXe£avBpos
Be 6 MvvSlos (rdy* iv rep Tiovrcp rrpo^ara
maiveoQai vtto rov rriKpordrov <f>rjalv dtfswBiov.
ras Be iv rip Mtftavrt ywopbivas atyas l£ pbrjvajv
pL7j rrlvetv, opav Be is rrjv OdXarrav p,6vov /cat
K€)(y]V€vai /cat rds avpas rds iKeldev 8e^ea#at d
avros Aeyet. atyay Be 'IXAvplBas otrXrjv olkovoj

1 va }xaBdiv Kal aTroSez^ijTai.

3 PerA. Kal rcovSe H. 4 <ra> chM. Jac.

3l8

ON ANIMALS, V. 25-27

their birth gambol about their dams and know what
is strange and what is akin to them. They have no
need to learn anything from their shepherds.

26. The Monkey is a most imitative creature, and The Monfcey
any bodily action that you teach it it acquires exactly,

so as to be able to display its accomplishment. For
instance, it will dance, once it has learnt, and if you
teach it, will play the pipe. And I myself have even
seen it holding the reins, laying on the whip, and
driving a chariot. And once it has learnt whatever
it may be, it would never disappoint its teacher. So
versatile and so adaptable a thing is Nature.

27. Here are further examples of the peculiar and Peculiarities
diverse natures of animals. Theopompus reports °*?g^ m
that in the country of the Bisaltae a the Hares have

a double liver. According to Ister the Guinea-fowls
of Leros are never injured by any bird of prey.
Aristotle says b that among the Neuri c the Oxen
have their horns on their shoulders, and Agatharcides
says that in Ethiopia the Swine have horns. Sostra-
tus asserts that all Blackbirds on Cyllene d are white.
Alexander of Myndus says that in Pontus the Flocks
grow fat upon the bitterest wormwood. He states
also that Goats born on Mimas e do not drink for
six months ; all they do is to look towards the sea
with their mouths open and to drink in the breezes
from that quarter. I learn that the Goats of Illyria

a Macedonian tribe living on W coast of the gulf of the
Strymon.

6 Not in any surviving work; fr. 313 (Rose p. 331).
c Tribe living between the rivers Boug and Dnieper.
d Mountain in N Arcadia.
6 Mountain on coast of Ionia, W of Smyrna.

3*9

AELIAN

£X eLV > ^AA' ov X 1 ?^^* &€o<f>paaTos Se Saifjiovuo-
rara Xeyei iv rij Ba/3vAaWa. yfj rovs ,lx@v$
dviovras e/c rov rrorapuov etra pbivroi iv rep £r]ptp
ras vojjias 7roteXordao -rroAAaAas'.

28. "ISiov Be dpa ^o) 1 7T0pcf>vptwv 7rp6s rep
^rjXorvTTcoraro? etvac teal ixetvo 2 Brfrrov KeKrrjr at.
<f)iXoLK€cov avrov elvaL epaotv Kal rrjv ovvrpoej>Lav
rwv avwofxcov dyairav. iv oIklo, yovv rpi<f>eoQai
rrop(f>vpicova Kai dXeKrpvova rfKovaa, Kal oireioOai
fiev rd avrd, /?aSt£eiv Se rd$ taas fiaSiaeis Kal
Kocvfj KovUaOai. ovkovv £k rovrwv <f>iXlav nvd
davpLauriju avrots iyyeviodat. Kai irore eoprijs
€Tn<Jrdcrq$ 6 BecFTrorrjS dyaf>olv. rov dXeKrpvova
Karadvcras elcrrcdOrj avv rots oIkcLois* 6 Se
7TOpcf>vpltov rov avvvofiov ovk exo)v Kal rrjv ipr}-
fjLtav p/rj (f>epa>v iavrov drpotf>La Bie<f>9eLpev.

29. 'Ev Alyitp rrjs 'A^aia? ehpalov 7ratSos,
'QXeviov to yivos, ovopba * Ap,<f>iX6xov , rjpa XW*
&eoef>paaros Xeyei rovro. avv rots 7 QXevicov Se
ef>vydaw i<f>povpeXro iv Alylep 6 trai$. ovkovv 6
Xyv avrw ocopa ecftepe. Kal iv Xta> TXavKTjs rijs
KidapcpBov <hpaiordr7]s ovarjs el puev ijpwv dvOpoj-
7rot, \ieya ovBerrco' rjpdcrdrjcrav Se Kal Kpids Kal
xfyj <*>s dKOvw, rrjs avrfjs*

1 <o> add. H. 2 d opvis xal cVeivo.

a Aegium, one of the principal cities of Achaia, stood on the
coast near the W end of the Corinthian gulf. It was the
regular meeting-place of the Achaean League,.

320

ON ANIMALS, V. 27-29

have a solid, not a cloven hoof. And Theophrastus
[fr. 171. 2] has the most amazing statement that in
Babylonia the fish frequently come out of the river
and pasture on dry land.

28. Now the Purple Coot, in addition to being The Purple
extremely jealous, has, I believe, this peculiarity: 000 *
they say that it is devoted to its own kin and loves

the company of its mates. At any rate I have heard
that a Purple Coot and a Cock were reared in the
same house, that they fed together, that they walked
step for step, and that they dusted in the same spot.
From these causes there sprang up a remarkable
friendship between them. And one day on the
occasion of a festival their master sacrificed the Cock
and made a feast with his household. But the Purple
Coot, deprived of its companion and unable to endure
the loneliness, starved itself to death.

29. In Aegium,« a city of Achaia, a good-looking Geese in
boy, an Olenian 6 by birth, of the name of Amphilo-
chus, was loved by a Goose. Theophrastus relates beings
this [fr. 109]. The boy was kept under guard with
exiles from Olenus in Aegium, and so the Goose used

to bring him presents. In Chios Glauce, the harp-
player, being a woman of extraordinary beauty, was
adored by men, not that there is anything wonderful
in that, but I am told that a Ram and a Goose also
fell in love with her.

* Olenus was a small town on the NW coast of Achaia, near
the mouth of the Pixus. The reference to ' exiles from O.*
is obscure ; it may signify an effort on the part of the Achaean
League to ensure peace among the 12 cities of Achaia. As
the League was broken up by Alexander, the event must have
occurred earlier.

321

VOL. I

M

AELIAN

01 8e xqves ocafxetpovres rov Tavpov.ro opos Se-
hoUaai rovs aeiow, Kal eKaoros ye ayrwv XLQov
ivSaKovres, ha px) tcXafaoiv, dWep ow ipfiaXov-

T€$ 0(/>L0L OTOfJLlOV, Sia7T€TOVTai (JLCOTT&VTCS , KOL

rovs derovs ra TroXXa ravrrj ScaXavddvovoi.
Oepfioraros 8e apa &v Kal hiarrvpcbraros rrjv
</>volv 6 xn v <f>^oXovrpos ion Kal vrj&ai^ ^atpet
Kal rpo<j>als /xaAtaTa rats vypordracs ^ Kal iroai$
*at OpihaKivais Kal rots Xolttois, ooa avrols
&8o0€V ^xo? ipydCerat- el 8e kcu i&vawoiro
vtto <tou> x Atjuou, Sa^s <£dAAov ov/c av (jtdyoi,
ov8' av irdaaL-ro poSoM<f>vqs ovre Ikojv ovre aKaiv
otSe yap on reOvrjger at rovrwv nvos ip,<f>ayd)v.
dvOpoiiroi 8e wr docorlas 2 inipovXevovrat Kal is
rpo(f>7]V Kal is trorov? pxploi yovv /ecu TrLvovris
n KaKbv Kar€7nov 3 ws 'AAcfavSpo?, Kal ioOlovjes,
ws EXavBios 6 Twftatbs- koX BperraviKos 6 rovrov
Tratr Kal KaraKOL^divres ovk i^aveorj]Gav xpq-
oei <f>aptxdKOV y oi pev eKovres rovro oirdoavres, ol
8e emfiovXevdevres .

30. e O 8e x^aAcoTTTjl, Tri-nXeKrai ol to ovofia *
e/< t<Bi> (iKardpov} 5 rov Z>wov Ihlwv re Kal

avpu&wv. ex €t ^ v y°-P ™ e p os T ° TO ° |^
-navovpyiav 6 8e StKaidrara dvnKpivoiro ^ dv rp
dXa>7T€KL. Kal eon ju-ev xi^s flpaxyrepos, dv8peid~
repos' 8e, Kal X^petv d/xdcre Be«w. dpvverai yovv
Kal aerov Kal alXovpov kol rd Xonrd, ooa avrov
dvrt7TaXd ionv.

1 <tov> add. E. 2 Vmw : <ro#as.

5 <e«rarepou> add. H, 6 iravovpyla.

322

ON ANIMALS, V. 29-30

When Geese cross the Taurus range they go in fear geeseana
of the eagles; so each of them bites on a pebble meB
to prevent it from uttering its cry, just as though
they had gagged themselves, and so they cross in
silence and by these means generally slip past the
eagles. The Goose, being of a very hot and fiery habits and
nature is fond of bathing and delights in swimming, 00
and prefers very moist fare, grass, lettuce, and all
other things that generate coolness in its body. But
even if it is exhausted with hunger it will not eat a
bay-leaf or touch a rose-laurel either willingly or
against its will,, for it knows that if it eats either of
them it will die.

Yet men through their unbridled appetites are the Human ^
victims of plots against their food and drink. At any £odand
rate _countless numbers have swallowed some bane drink
while drinking, like Alexander, 3 or in food, like
Claudius the Koman, 6 and Britannicus, his son.
And having fallen asleep from a dose of poison, they
never rose again, some having drunk it deliberately,
others because they were the victims of a plot.

30. The Egyptian Goose owes its composite name The

r t • 1 ■ j? j.i. 1 Egyptian

(goose-fox) to the innate peculiarities ot the two aoo |e
creatures. It has the appearance of a goose, but
for its mischievousness it might most justly be com-
pared to the fox. It is smaller than a goose but more
courageous, and is a fierce fighter. For instance, it
defends itself against an eagle, a cat, and all other ,
animals that come against it.

a Alexander died (323 B.C.) of a fever aggravated by
excessive drinking.

6 Roman Emperor, a.d. 41-54, poisoned by his. wife
Agrippina.

6 Poisoned by order of Nero, A.t>. 55.

3 2 3

AELIAN

31. 'TSta Se o<f>€a)s Kal €K€ivd icrrc. rrjv Kap-
Stav K€KArjpcorai em rfj <f>dpvyyt 3 rrjv Se x oA ^
iv rotg ivripoiSy irpos Se rfj ovpa rovs op^eis
e^et, ra Se cod rtKrec jxaKpd /cat fiaXaKa, rov Se
tov eV rot? SSovat <f>ip€L.

32. Taa> Se rco opviOt rco 7rpo€ip7]fx4vq) koX
€K€iva avfJLtbva Kal lota, aWp icrrl puaOetv afta.
T/5ta 6TT7 yevopuevos Kvrjcrecos apx^rcu Kal tboiva
cnroXvei Kal rojs" rcov Trreptov TroXvxpolas re kcll
copas rore ap^erat. eVtuafet Se ou. Kara to ef/Js',
aAAa, TrapaXtTTchv Svo rjpbipas. ySr} S' aV reVot
Kal virrjvepua 6 racos ) &>$ Kal opviOes erepot.

33. 'H vrjrra orav t€K7). tLktg.1 aiv * iv £wpto.
TTArjatov oe 7/ t^s 1 AifjLvrjs 7] rov revayovs 7/ aAAov
twos voprjXov ^topou Kal ivopocrov. to Se vr\r~
nov 2 cbvcrei nvl lota Kal aTTOpprjrco otSev on firjre
tt}s 3 puerecopov chopds ot pberearc jjbtfre pjr)v rijs
iv rfj xe/xja; oiarpififjs. Kal iK rovrcov is to
vScop 7Trjoa y Kal ef choLvoiV icrrl vrfKTiKrit Kal
puadetv ov Setrat, dAAd KaTaSuerat Kal dVaSverat
irdw aochcos Kal cbs yjSr} ^povov TreTTaioevpiivy)
rovro. aero? Se, ov KaXovcrt vrjrrocbovov, iTrnr-qoa
rfj vy)xop,4vr} cbs dprracropbevos' t) Se KaraSvcra
iavrrjv rjcbdvicrev, etra vrroviq^apiivr) dXXaxoOc
iKKVTrret. 6 Se Kal e/cet Trdpearc, Kal avBis
KariBv iKcLviq, Kal iraXw ravra Kal ttolXw. Kal
hvoiv Odrepov rj yap KaraSvcra 4 d7T€TTViyri, rj 6

1 fl€VTOL. 2 veOTTtOV.

3 rrjs ev dept. 4 Pauw : icaraSifc.

3 2 4-

ON ANIMALS, V. 31-33

31. The following features are peculiar to the Anatomy of
Snake. The heart has its allotted place close to the tlie Snaie
throat, the gall in the intestines; its testicles are

close to the tail ; the eggs which it produces are long
and soft ; its poison is contained in the fangs.

32. The Peacock (I have described the bird The Peacock
above) a has these further innate peculiarities which

are worth knowing. When three years old it begins
to be pregnant and lays its eggs, and then starts to
assume that many-coloured and beautiful plumage.
But it does not brood upon its eggs immediately,
but passes over two days. And the Peacock, like
other birds, may from time to time lay a wind-egg.

33. When the Duck lays its eggs it lays them on The Duck
land but close to a lake or shallow pool or some other
watery, moist spot. And the Duckling by some
mysterious instinct knows that it is incapable both of
flying high in the air and of remaining on land. For

this reason it leaps into the water and can swim
from the moment it is hatched ; it has no need to learn
but dives and comes up again with great skill as
though it had already been taught for some time.
But the Eagle which they call the ' duck-killer ' and Eagle
swoops upon the Duck as she swims, meaning to carry
her off ; but the Duck dives and vanishes, and then
after swimming under water, bobs up in another
place. But the Eagle is there also, and again the
Duck dives; and this happens again and again.
Then one of two things follows : either the Duck
after a dive is drowned, or the Eagle goes off after

a See ch. 21.

3 2 5

AELIAN

fJL€V dlTeGTTj €7T d'XAr)V dypaV, Tj Be ^OVGa TO

dBees hrwr\x eTQ ' 1 avdis*

34. IIAeW e^t tcov dvdpcoTrwv 6 kvkvos iv tols
pbeyiorois' otBe t€ yap oirore tov ftiov to repp,a
d(j)CKV€irac avrcp, koX puevroi Kal evSvjJLOJS <j)epeiv
avro Trpoaiov vtto rrjs <j>vaea)s Aa^oav 1 e^et

BcbpOV TO KaXXlGTOV 7T€7TLO'T€VK€ yap OTl pLTjBevoS

dXyewov purjBe XvTTrjpov pbdreGTC Qav&Tcp. dvdpw-
7Toc Be VTtep oi> ovk toaai BeSotKaoL 3 Kal rjyovvrai
fjLeytGTOV elvai k<xk6v avTO* togovtov Be. dpa rta
kvkvco TcepieGTiv evOvfilas, cos Kal eirl rfj Kara-

GTpO<f>fj TOV filoV TOV G<j>€T€pOV 00€lV KOI OVa-

KpoveGQat 2 olov iinKiqBeiov tl eavrcp 3 fieXos.

TOLOVTOV Tiva KOL TOV ^eXX€pO<j>OVT^V TjpOJlKCOS

Kal fieyaAot/jvxojs es Odvarov rrapeGKevaopbevov 6
^vpnriBy}s vp,vet. rceiroiqKe yovv rrpos rrjv iavrov
*/sv)(r)V Xeyovra avrov

fad* els Oeovs puev evG€^rjS 3 or rjaO', del,

(;£vOL<$ T €7rflpK€LS y OVO* €KafJbV€S els (fccXoVS,

Kal ra 677t tovtols. ovkovv Kal 6 kvkvos fJueXcpBet
rtva eTTLKyBetov iavTcp 4 pcovoav, e^oSta BiBovs
rrjs drroBripilas ^ Oecov vpuvovs rj eiraivov oIkgiov
rtva. fiapTVpel Be avTcp Kal 6 HojKpdTqs oti aoVt
ov Xv7TOVjJLevos dAAd evdvpuovpuevos pbdXXov pvrjBe
yap dyew G^oXijv ttot€ d>Bfj Kal fieXei tov Kara,
rijs ifjvxV s e^ovra rt irpooavres Kal dXyeivov.

EjX €L ° € a P a ° Kvt < vo s ov piovov rrpos tov uava-
tov dvBpelojSi rjBrj Be Kal TTpos /xa^as. dBtKOjv pbev
odv ovk apx€i, ota Brjrrov aaxf>pojv Kal TTeiraiBevpLe-

1 Xafia>v. 2 avayT)pv€cr6<u V 2 .

326

ON ANIMALS, V. 33-34

other prey ; whereupon the Duck, with nothing to
fear, swims once more upon the surface.

34. The Swan has this advantage over men in ^e |wan
matters of the greatest moment, for it knows when
the end of its life is at hand, and, what is more, in
bearing its approach with cheerfulness, it has received
from Nature the noblest of gifts. For it is confident
that in death there is neither pain nor sorrow. But
men are afraid of what they know not, and regard
death as the greatest of all ills. Now the Swan has
so contented a spirit that at the very close of its life
it sings and breaks out into a dirge, as it were, for
itself. Even so does Euripides [jr. 311 N] sing of
Bellerophon, prepared like a hero of high soul for
death. For example, he has portrayed him address-
ing his soul thus :

' Reverent wast thou ever in life towards the
gods ; strangers didst thou succour ; nor didst thou
ever grow weary towards thy friends ' —

and so on. So then the Swan too intones its own
funeral chant, and either by hymns to the gods or
by the rehearsal of its own praises it makes provision
for its departure. Socrates also testifies [PI. Phaedo
84 e] to the fact that it sings not from sorrow but
rather from cheerfulness, for (he says) a man whose
heart is vexed and sore has no leisure for song and
melody.

Now death is not the only thing that the Swan
faces with courage : it is not afraid of a fight. But
though it will not be the first to do an injury, any

3 2 7

AELIAN

vos dvrjp, ra> Be dp^avn 1 ovre d<f>torarat ovre
eiKei. ol pev odv opvcOes ol Xoittoi, elpiqvaZa
avrois trpos avrovs Kal evairovha icrrw, 2 6 Be
deros Kal ewl rovrov wppsqcre rroXXaKts, cos
5 ApiaroreXrjs $y)Gi, Kal ovBeTTcoTrore eKparrjaeVy
rjTTi]8r} Be del pur] piovov avv rfj poip^j rov kvkvov
pLaxopuivov, dXXd /cat avv rfj BIkt) dp,vvop,ivov .

35. e epcoBios ra oar pea eoQiew Beivos icrri,
K<xl puepLVKora avrd Karairivety wGTrep ovV ol
rreXeKaves rds /coy^aj. /cat ev rco KaXovpuevco
rrprjyopewvi virodeppbaLvcov 6 epcpBios <f>vXdrrei rd
oar pea' rd Be viro ttjs dXeas Bdararai, Kal
€K€Lvo§ aiadavop,evo$ rd p,ev oarpaKa aVejuet,
<j>vXdrrei Be rrjv adpKa } Kal e^et rpo<f>T}V dvaXioKcov
} rfj rrjs Tretf/ecos Bwdpuei rd eaco irapeXQov oXokXtj-
pov.

36. "Ovop,d eariv opviOos dareplasy Kal ndaaeve-
rat ye ev rfj AlyvTrrco, Kal dvdpamov (j>ojvrjs
erraiei. ei oe ns avrov oveioiQcov oovAov ewrot, o
he opylCerai' Kal ei ri$ okvov KaXeaeiev avrov, 6
Be fipevOverai Kal ayavaKrei, cos Kal is to dyevves
oKQiTTTopievos Kal is dpylav evOvvopuevos .

37. Et Kardx 01 TL $ ottov 1&vprp>atov /cat Xdfiobro
rrjs vdpKTjs, evravBa Biqirov rd e£ avrrjs rrddos
€K7T€<fievye . BpaKOvra Be OaXdrnov el avaairdaai

1 ap£avTL kol emfiovXevovrc. 2 Schn : eiow.

a * This is no Heron but some other bird ' (Thompson, Qh.
birds, s.y.j.

328

ON ANIMALS, V. 34-37

more than a sober, educated man would be, yet it
will not retire and give way before an aggressor.
While all other birds are on terms of peace with the
Swan, the Eagle has frequently attacked it, as
Aristotle says [HA 610 a 1, 615 b 1], though it has
never yet overcome it, but has always been defeated
not only through the strength of the Swan in battle
but also because in defending itself the Swan has
justice on its side.

35. The Heron is a great eater of oysters and The Heron
swallows them when closed,^ as pelicans swallow
mussels. And the Heron warms the oysters a little

in what is called its ' crop ' and retains them there.
Under the influence of the heat the oysters open, and
the Heron becoming aware of this, disgorges the
shells but retains the flesh ; and it lives by consuming
entire, thanks to a strong digestion, all that passes
down into it. ■ . *

36. There is a bird called Asterias (starling?), 6 and JJJ^,
in Egypt, if tamed, it understands human speech.

And if anyone by way of insult calls it ' slave,' it
gets angry ; and if anyone calls it ( skulker,' it takes
umbrage and is annoyed, as though it was being
jeered at for its low birth and rebuked for its indo-
lence.

37 . If a man with the j uice of silphium on his hands The Torpedo
seizes the Torpedo, he avoids the pain which it in-
flicts. And should you attempt to draw the Great The Great

' * Thompson (Gh. birds, s.v. dareplas) records Bittern as a
common but unsatisfactory interpretation, but offers no other.

329

AELIAN

rfj Se£t,a e9eXois> 6 Se ovx eifserai, dXXd /xa^et-
rai 1 Kara Kpdros' el Se rfj dptarepa dvdyoc$%
eiKei Kal edXcoKev,

38. XdppuSos aKOva) rod MacraaXtcorov Xeyovros
<f>iX6p,ovvov puev elvat rrjv d^SoVa, 17877 Se Kal
<f>iX6So$;ov . ev yovv rats eprjpuLais orav aSr} -rrpds
eavrrjv, drrXovv ro fxeXos Kal dvev KaraaKevrjs rrjv
bpviv aSeiv orav Se dXco Kal rcov aKovovrcov pjq
Siajxapravrf, iroiKiXa re dvapbeXireiv Kal raKepcos
eXCrretv ro p,eXos. Kal "OpL7]pos Se rovro p,oi
SoKei virawirreodai Xeycov

cos 8' ore YlavSapeov Kovprj xXcopyjls drjScov
KaXov aelSrjaw eapos veov IcrrapuevoLo ,
SevSpecov ev ireraXoiai Ka6e£opLev7) ttvkwolgw,
7) re Oapua rpconcoaa ^eet 7roXv7]xea <f>a>vtfv,

07817 pbivrov rives Kal TToXvSevKea (fxovrjv ypd-
(f>ovcrtrr}v ttoikIXcos pLepLipL7)p,evr}v, cbs rrjv dSevKea
rrjv ft-T^S' 0X009 is pblpuqoiv TtaparpaTretaav .

39. Aiyei A-qpLOKpcros rcov £cocov puovov rov
Xeovra €KTre7rrapLevoLs riKreadai rols o^OaXpLOLSy
tjSt} rpoirov nvd reOvpLcopuevov Kal eg coSlvcov
Spaaeiovrd n yewiKov. i<f>vXa£av Se dXXoi Kal
KaBevSoov on Kivei rrjv ovpdv, evSeiKVvpievos cos
to €ckos ore pirj rravrrj drpepuei, p,7]Se p/qv kvkXco-
adpt,evos avrov Kal irepieXdcov 6 V7tvos KaOeiXev,
coairep ovv Kal rcov t,cocov rd Xoirrd. rotovrov ri
<j>i)Xdgavras AlyvTrrlovs virep avrov Kopmd^eiv
<f>ao~l Xeyovras on Kpeirroov vttvov Xecov iarlv

1 jLtaxerat. 2 ayois,

33°

ON ANIMALS, V. 37-39

Weever from the sea with your right hand, it will not
come but will %ht vigorously. But if you haul it up
with your left hand, it yields and is captured.

38. From a statement of Charmis of Massilia I
learn that the Nightingale is fond of music, and even
fond of fame. At any rate when it is singing to itself
in lonely places, he says, its melody is simple and
spontaneous. But in captivity when it has no lack of
hearers it lifts up its voice, warbling and trilling its
melting music. And Homer seems to me to hint as
much when he says [Od. 19. 518]

' And as when the daughter of Pandareus, the
greenwood Nightingale, sings sweet at the first
oncoming of spring, as she rests amid the thick
leafage of the trees, and ever varying her note
pours forth her full-throated music/
But there are those who write iroXvSevKea <f>covrjy,
that is, ' variously imitating music,' just as dSevKea
signifies ' unadapted for imitating.'

39. Democritus asserts that the Lion alone among TfceLioa
animals is born with its eyes open a and from the hour

of birth is already to some extent angry and ready to
perform some spirited action. And others have
observed that even when asleep the Lion moves his
tail, showing, as you might expect, that he is not
altogether quiescent, and that, although sleep has
enveloped and enfolded him, it has not subdued
him as it does all other animals. The Egyptians,
they say, claim to have observed in him something of
this kind, asserting that the Lion is superior to sleep
» See 4. 34.

331

AELIAN

dypwrvwv del. ravrrj rot Kal rjXlcp aTTOKplveiv
avrov avrovs 7re7rvofiao- Kal yap rot Kal rov
yjXtov 9ea>v ovra <f>iXo7rovarrarov 77 dvw 1 rrjs yfj s
opavBat 7) rrjv Karoo Trope lav levai fxrj r}avxd£ovra.
"OfArjpov re fxdprvpa Alyvirnoi iirdyovrai^ Xeyovra
rjeXtov r aKapavra. eart Be Trios' rjj pcofxrj Kal
avveros 6 Xeaiv. rats yovv fiovalv i7n^ovXevec
vvKrwp <f>oLrcov is rd avXia. "O^pos Be dpa
-jjBeo Kal rovro Xeyoov

fioes cos 2

as re 3 Xewv i<f>6fir}oe (xoXcov iv vuktos dpuoXyco.

Kal eWAijWt fiev vrro rijs dXKrjs Trdvas* filav Be
itjajmduas eBet. 5 orav Be is Kopov ifjLTrXrjoQfj ,
fiovXerat p,ev ra\iievaaadai Kal is adOts, alBcos Be
Icr^et avrov <j>povpelv irapapbivovra, cos rpo(j>rjs
XV r€t Xipov BeBiora. ovkovv <nepixavoov ipmvel
jxev rov Kad' eavrov daOfxaros, Kal rovrqo rrjv
<f>vXaK7}v imrpeTrei, aTraXXdrreral ye p,7}v avros'
™ Be dXXa f<3a r\Kovra Kal aladavofieva orov
Xelijtavov ion to Kelpuevov, ov roXfia 7rpoodijsao9ai s
•aAAa a7raAAaTT<=Tat BeBiora BoKetv avXav Kal
rrepiKorrreiv ri rod cr<f>erepov fiavcXews. tw Be
dpa el pev evB-qpla 6 yevoiro Kal eveppla, Xrjdrjv
+rov rrpoorov Xa^dvei Kal cos ecoXov drcfxdoas
drraXXdrrerai' el Be fjurj, cos iir olKetov 9-q-
<xavpi<jp,a Trapaylverat. orav Be VTrepirXr} odfj, Kevol
iavrov T^u^ta koI doirla, rj ad rrdXiv md^KO)

1 Kara to r) avo>. & Roes w$ MSS omit.

3 ws & ore.

4 dvdaas.

5 eSet* 6 avros Aeya 7TOL7)rr)s ravra.

332

ON ANIMALS, V. 39

and for ever awake. And I have ascertained that
it is for this reason that they assign him to the sun,
for, as you know, the sun is the most hard-working
of the gods, being visible above the earth or pursuing
his course beneath it without pause. And the
Egyptians cite Homer as a witness when he speaks
of the ' untiring sun ' [II. 18. 239]. And in addition
to his strength the Lion shows intelligence. For in-
stance, he has designs upon cattle and goes to their
folds by night. Now Homer was aware of this when
he said[/Z. 11. 172]:

* Like cattle which a lion has scared, coming in
the dead of night.'

And he strikes terror into them all by his strength,
but seizes only one and devours it. And when he aad his prey
has gorged himself, he wishes to preserve the re-
mains for another occasion, yet he is ashamed to
stay and watch over them, as though he were afraid
of starving from want of food. Accordingly with
jaws agape he breathes upon them and trusts to his
breath to guard them while he himself goes on his
way. But when the other beasts arrive and realise
to whom the remains upon the ground belong, they
do not venture to touch them but go their way for
fear of seeming to rob and diminish anything that
belongs to their king. Now if the Lion chances to
be lucky and has good hunting, he forgets his former
prize, disregards it as being stale, and goes away.
Otherwise he returns to it as to a private store. And
when he has eaten more than enough, he empties
himself by lying quiet and abstaining from food, or
alternatively he catches a monkey and eats some of '

€v8r)pia iripov.

333

AELIAN

7T€piTVX(ov koX tovtov <f>ayd>v Kevovrai rrjv yaarepa
tats €K€ivov Xdrrd^as crap^iv, rjv Se dpa Bt/ccuos
o Aetov Kai 010$

dvop* itTafivvacrdcu,, ore res irporepos 1 x aA€7T WT)*

rep yovv imovri dvQLoTarai <(/c<u> 2 rr)v dXKalav
iinoelwv Kai iXvrrojv Kara, tcov irXevpcov etra
iyetpet eavrov oyairep odv VTTodrjywv p,va)7rt. rov
ye fjurjv fiaXovra fxev, ov rv^ovra Be rfj icrrj dfivvov-
ptevos 3 (jyofieL jxiv, Xwrrei Se ovSe ev. rjfiepcoOels
ye fjbrjv i£4rt, veapov irpaoraros eoTi Kai ivrvxelv
rjhvSj Kai eon (^LXoTralarrjs s Kai tt&v 6 ti odv
viropteveL rrpaova>s rep rpo<f>el x a P l C°P'€vo$. "Avvcov
yovv Xeovra ei^e GKevaytoyov , Kai Bepevwqj Xecov
Trpaos avvrjv, twv KOfijXOjrojv 4 Sta^epcov ovSe ev.
i<f>al$pvv€ yovv rfj yXwrrrj 5 to TTpoocoirov avrrjs,
Kai rds pvrtSas eXeawe, Kai rjv opLOTpdrreCos,
Trpdeos re Kai evrdKTOJS eaOicov Kai dvOpcomKws.
<Kai> 6 'Qvofxapxos he 6 'Kardvrjs rvpawos Kai 6
KXeofievovs vlos avouvrovs etxov Xeovras.

40. "Evajolas twos davptaarrjs rrjv rrdphaXtv
{lereiXrjxevai (fiaalv, r)plv puev arropprjTOV, avrrj M
otoe to TrXeoveKrrjfjba to OLKelov, Kai fidvrot Kai
rd dXXa £<p a avveTrLoTarat tovto eKelvrj, Kai

1 irpoTtpov. 2 K^Kaiy add. Schn.

3 afivvofievos. 4 Pierson : KOfLfjidavrayv.

5 yXwrrrj rfavxrj. 6 <(kch) add. H.

a Hanno, Carthaginian general, 3rd cent. b.c. Cp. Plut.
Mor. 799 E.

334

ON ANIMALS, V. 39-40

it, voiding and emptying his belly by means of its
flesh.

The Lion is after all upright and one to

' defend himself against the man who should assail
him first * [Horn. II. 24. 369 ; Od. 16. 72].

Thus, he faces his attacker and by lashing with his
tail and winding it about his flanks rouses himself as
though he were stimulating himself with a spur.
And if a man shoot at him but miss him, he will
defend himself by a fair return ; he will scare the
man but do him no harm. If he has been domesti-
cated since the time when he was a cub, he is ex- ^ e ^ ion
tremely gentle and agreeable to meet, and is fond of
play, and will submit with good temper to any treat-
ment to please his keeper. For instance, Hanno a
kept a Lion to carry his baggage ; a tame Lion was
the companion of Berenice 6 and was no different
from her tiring-slaves : for example, it would softly
wash her face with its tongue and smooth away her
wrinkles; it would share her table and eat in a
sober, orderly fashion just like a man. And Ono-
marchus, the Tyrant of Catana, and the son of
Cleomenes c both had Lions with them as table-
companions.

40. They say that the Leopard has a marvellous The Leopard
fragrance about it. To us it is imperceptible, though
the Leopard is aware of the advantage it possesses, and
other animals besides share with it this knowledge.

*> Which of the various queens named Berenice is here
referred to, is uncertain ; if the queen of Ptolemy III, she
lived c. 273-226 b.c.

c Nothing more is known of these persons.

335

AELIAN

dXloKeral ol 1 rov rporrov tovtov, r) irapBaXis
Tpo<j>r}s Beopbevrj iavrrjv viroKpVTrreL rj Ao^i? vroXXfj
fj <f>vXXdBi fiaOeta, Kal evrvxeiv earw acfxivrjs,
jxovov Be avairvel. ovkovv ol vefipol Kal <^<u) 2
BopKaBes Kal ol atyes ol dypioi 3 Kal ra rotavra
rcov ^coayv <hs vtto twos tvyyos rrjs evcoBlas
eXKerac, Kal ytverat 7rXr}crtov r) Be eKTrrjBa Kal
ex^i to Otfpafia.

41. TivvOdvo fxat ra>v fajcov rd fJ,rjpvKd£ovra
rpets KoiklaSi Kal ovopLara avTa>v olkovco

K€KpV<j)aXoV ixLVOV TjVVOTpOV* 07]7TLat Be Kal TevBt-

Bes Bvo vi\LOVTai irpoftoGKioiv* ov yap tol 4
X^lpov ovtcos 6vop,doai Kal €K tt}s ^petas" Kal e/c
rov oxrfjJiaTOS eirapQevTa. Kal orav r\ ^et/xe^ta
Kai kXvBow rerapaypuevos, al Be rcbv Trerpcov
XapLpdvovrai rat? avrais rrpofioXais, Kal evwrat
<bs ayKvpais Trdvv ey/cpaTcos, Kal daeioroL T€ Kal
glkXvgtol fjbdvovcrcv etra el yevovro virevBia,
d-noXvovai re iavrds Kal iXevdepovcri, Kal veovui
7T(iXiv } elBvlai fidOrjfia ovk evKara^povrp-ov , ^etjuco-
vos <f>vyr)v Kal €K to)v kwB^vwv aatTrjpiav.

42. Et croc fiovXopbevto puaQeZv eari {xeXcrrcov
ovofiara, ovk av ^aaKf]vaipLL ehreiv ooa Treirvo pbai.
iyyepLoves KaXovvrat rives Kal dXXat aeiprjves Kal
epyo<f>6pOL 5 rives Kal erepai 7rXdoriBes. NtKavBpos
Be f ev<f>opeiv "f 6 rovs KT]<f>r]vds <f>r]Oi. irepl Be rrjv

1 iKewr} . . . ot] tt} 7rapMXei Kal aAtoycerai €K€lvy{.

2 <(at> add. H. 3 at atyes al ayptat.

vhpo^opoi H.

6 &<f>opeiv Post, vSpotfiopetv BeisJce, H, evitopeiv OSchn.

336

ON ANIMALS, V. 40-42

and the Leopard catches them in the following
manner. When the Leopard needs food it conceals
itself in a dense thicket or in deep foliage and is in-
visible ; it only breathes. And so fawns and gazelles
and wild goats and suchlike animals are drawn by the
spell, as it were, of its fragrance and come close up.
Whereat the Leopard springs out and seizes its prey.

41 . I learn that ruminants have three a stomachs, Kuminants
and their names, I gather, are KeKptyaXov (the second
stomach, reticulum), exZvos (the third stomach, many-
plies), and Tjvvorpov (the fourth stomach, abomasum).

Cuttle-fish and Squids feed themselves with two Cuttle-fish
' probosces.' (There is no harm in so styling them : ^ n d fc S
their use and their form induce one to do so.) And
in stormy weather when there is broken surf, these
creatures grip the rocks with their tentacles and cling
fast as with anchors, and there they stay^ safe from
shock and sheltered from the waves. Later, when
it grows calm, they let themselves go and are free
again to swim about, having learnt what is by no
means to be despised, viz., how to avoid a storm and
to escape from danger.

42. If it is your wish to learn the names of Bees, Bees, their
I would not grudge you the knowledge that I have
acquired. Some are called ' captains/ others
' sirens/ 6 some again ' workers/ and others ' moul-
ders/ And Nicander says [fr. 93] that the Drones

a Cp. Arist. HA 507 b I ; Ael. has omitted to mention the
KocXCa frtydXr], big stomach or paunch.

b Thompson on Arist. HA 623 b 11 takes ' siren ' to be
* some species of the solitary wasp, e.g. Ewnenes, Synagris,
etc'

VOL. I.

337

N

AELIAN

rd>v K.a7T7raBoKCOV yrjv avev K-qpLojv to p,eXi ras
pLeXlrras epyd^eodal <f>acri 3 tto^v Be elvat rovro
Kara ro eXaiov Xoyos ^X €l " * v Tp^^ovvri Be rij

UoVTCKfj €K TTV^OV yiveaBai [liXl 7Ti7TV<Tjiai )

fiapv Be rrjv ocrfMTjV rovro etvai, Kal rroietv p^ev
rovs vyiaivovras €K<j)povas, rovs Be i^mXrj'TTrovs is
vyieiav irravdyeiv add is. iv MrjBta Be aTroard^eiv
rcov BevBpcov clkovco piiXi, cos Evpwu'S^s 1 iv raj
KiOatpcovl <f>r)crw eK rcov kX&Bcov yXvKeias orayovas
drroppeiv. ylveaOai Be Kal iv ® patty) p,eXc €K rcov
(f>vrcov 7]Kov<ja. iv Be Mvkovco pueXirra ov yiver at 3
dXXa Kal (Je^coQevy 2 KopucrBeicra a7To9vqcrKei.

43. Uepl rov ^Trraviv 7rorap,6v yiveodai to £cpov
to [xovrffxepov ovrco KaXovpuevov 5 ApiaroreXr^s
(f>7]al, rtKrofxevov fiev ap,a rep Kve<f>ei? a7ro6v7]<jKov
Be irrl Bvop^as TjXiov rperropbivov.

4:4:. "^X €C ^ < \ T< ^) 4 Brjypa rj otynia IwBes /cat
rovs oBovras loxvpcos VTroXavOdvovras . rjv Be
apa Bi]KriKov Kal <o> 5 6crp,vXo$ Kal 6 ttoXvttovs'
Kal B&koi p,ev av odros vqirias fiiaiorepov, rod Be
lov p^edLiqcriv fjrrov.

6 Eu. rats Bok^is. 2 <e£a)0ev> add. E.

Kve<f>q,.

<to> add, B.

33*

ON ANIMALS, V. 42-44

. . . And they say that all over Cappadocia the Bees
produce honey without combs, and the story goes Honey of
that it is thick like oil. I am informed that atg^
Trapezus in Pontus honey is obtained from box-trees,
but that it has a heavy scent and drives healthy
people out of their senses, but restores the frenzied
to health. I learn that in Media a honey drips from
the trees, just as Euripides [Bacc. 714] says that on
Cithaeron sweet drops flow from the boughs. In
Thrace too I have heard that honey is produced from
plants. On Myconus b there are no bees, and more-
over if imported from outside they die.

43. Aristotle says [HA 552 b 20] that on the banks The

of the river Hypanis c there occurs a creature that ' Da y- fl y'
goes by the name of ' day-fly/ * because it is born in
the morning twilight and dies when the sun begins
to set.

44. The Cuttle-fish has a poisonous bite and teeth The
that are concealed very deep within. It seems also Cutt ^ e " fis3:
that the Osmylus * arid the Octopus are given to
biting. And the Octopus has a more powerful bite

than the Cuttle-fish, although it emits less poison.

8 Ael. is copying [Arist.] Mir. 831 b 26 where the MSS read
AvSCa.

6 One of the Cyclades.
c Mod. Boug.

d ' A May-fly, probably . . . the large Ephemera longicauda
Oliv,' (Thompson on Arist. loo. cit.),

6 ' A kind of octopus with an unpleasant musky smell :
Eledone moscliata ' (Thompson, Gk. fishes). ~

5 (6yaM.H.

339

AELIAN

45. Tov avv tov aypiov (f>aat pur) TTporepov em
two, </>€p€(7dai TTplv r] tovs x av XloSovtcls V7roQr)i;ai*
fiaprvpei Se dpa /cat "Opbrjpos rovro Xiycav

6ij£as Aev/coV oBovra juera yvapLTrrfjori, ydwcrcrw.

Traxvveadai Se tov avv olkovoj fidXtara pur) Xovfie-
vov, 1 dXXa iv rep fiopfiopep hiarpifiovrd re /cat
VTpe<l>6p,€vov /cat ttivovtcl vBojp reSoXajfievov, /cat
r)cn>XLq> kcu oriyrj uKorcoSearepa ^atpovra /cat
Tpo<f>als ocrat, </>vcra)8icrr€pai re etcrt /cat V7TOTrXr}oai
Svvavrat. /cat "Qprqpos Se eot/ce vttoStjXovv ravra.
Trepl fjiev odv tov /caAtvSeto*0at avrovs 2 /cat
<f>tXr}$€w rot? pVTrapojTipois TeXfiacrc . . . 3 Xeycov
ave$ XapuaievvdSes' on Se ra> TeSoXcofievcp vSart,
malvovrai . . . 4 t^crt

fieXav vdojp

Trtvovacu, rd 9* vtacri rpi^ei reOaXvlav aXoi(f>rjv.

ore Se x ai P ovai vkotco hid tovtcov eAey^et

Trerpr) vito yXa<f>vpfj edSov Bopeaj V7T* Icoyij.

to Se (fivcratSes atvirrerat rrjs rpo<f>r)s orav Xdyrj
fidXavov fji€vo€LK€a iaOUcv avTas. etSco? Se dpa
v Opbif]pog cos" /cat to^atVerat /cat eVtTptjSet tcl /cpe'a
v$ opebv tov 6r\Xvv y 7re7rot7?/ce tovs dppevas ZSta
KaOevhovTas /cat Ta$ OrjXelas 18 la. iv HaXajMVi
Se ^Aa>/>ou ctTou /cat A^tou Kop,covTos idv avs

1 Aouojitevov. 2 avrov.

3 Lacuna. 4 Lacuna.

° The chief city in Cyprus. Eustathius on Horn. 0^. 18. 29
says that there was a law in Cyprus permitting landowners to
remove the teeth of any pig that they found foraging among

340

ON ANIMALS, V. 45

45. They say that the Wild Boar does not attack The wild
a man until he has whetted his tusks. And Homer Boar
testifies to this when he says [IL 11. 416]

' Having whetted the white tusk between his
curved jaws.*

And I learn that the Boar fattens himself chiefly
by not washing but spending his time wallowing in
the mud, drinking the turbid water, and revelling in
the quiet and the darkness of his lair and in all the
more inflating foods that can fill him up. And Homer
appears to imply as much, for touching their wallow-
ing and their fondness for the more muddy ponds ...
when he says [Od. 10. 243] ' hogs that make their
bed upon the ground/ And that they fatten them-
selves upon turbid water ... he says [Od. 13. 409]

' drinking black water, which fosters the rich fat on
swine.*

And that they delight in darkness he proves in the
following words. [Od. 14. 533] :

' They slumbered beneath a hollow rock under
shelter from Boreas/

And he hints at the inflating quality of their food
when he says [Od. 13. 409] that they eat ' the satisfy-
ing acorn/ Now Homer knowing that the Boar
grows thin and that his flesh wastes if he looks at the
Sow, has described [Od. 14. 13] the Boars as sleeping
in one place and the Sows in another. In Salamis a
if a Sow breaks in and grazes the corn when green or

their crops. So Irus threatens to knock out the teeth of
Odysseus, disguised and unknown, whom he regards as an
interloper in the palace in Ithaca.

341

AELIAN

i^ireaovaa 1 aTTOKetpr}, vopps iorl TiaXapuvloov
tovs oBovras eitrpLfiew avryjs. /cat rovro etvai to
7ra/>' *Op,rjpqj avos Xrjifiorelprjs <f>aariv. ol Be
eripcos voovcrt, /cat Xeyovai %Xa)pov olrov rrjv dp
yevcrafJbdvTjv acrdeveXs €X etv TOV S oBovras.

46. "ESa>/ce Be dpa rj cf>vcn$ rats kvctI rpavpud-
rcov avriTToXov rroav. el Be eXpuvOes avras Ajj-
noiev, 2 rod atrov ro KaXovp^evov Xrjiov eoOlovoai
€KKpwovcrw avr&s. Xeyovrai Be. koI orav Becovrac
T7)v yaorepa eKarepav Kevwcrai iroav rtvd ecrBUiv,
/cat to p,ev n rrjs rpo^ijs to iTrmoXd^ov dvefiecv,
ra Be Treptrrd KarooOev eKKpiveodai avrais <f>auw.
evrevBev /cat to ovppLat^ew AlyvTrnoi Xiyovrai
p,a6etv. TrepButes he. 3 /cat treXapyol rpcoOevres
Kal </>drrai rr)v oplyavov, <bs Xoyos, Biarpdiyovdiv ,
etra rots rpavp.aoiv evriOevres aKovvrai ro crcofia
/cat \hevroi </cat> 4 rrjs dvOpwrrcov larpiKrjs Beovrai
ovBe ev.

47. Ov Berjoopiai ivravQa pdprvpos Trpeofivri-
pov, a Be avros eyvwv ipw. 5 aavpov rcop -)(Xa)ptbv
puev V7repdyav s dBporepcov Be rrjv e^iv ovXXafiwv
avTjp koI kevrpcp vreiroiriiiivcp ^oXkov Treipas 6
€tTa rv(/>Xa)o , a$ rov aavpov /cat -^vrpav Kepapueav
rQiV vemarl elpyaapbivojv BiarpYjvas irdw Xeirrais
OTrais, <hs prj elpyew puev ro Trveyfia, ov pA]v
eKeivcp 7tapao-)(eZv e/cSvati-', /cat yrjv ey%€a$ /cat

1 Barnes : 7reaovaa. 2 Xvrrovai.

3 re.

4 <W> add. H. . ■

342;

ON ANIMALS, V. 45-47

a field of waving corn, there is a law of the Sala-
minians that her teeth must be destroyed. And
they say that the passage in Homer [Od. 18. 29] about
* a sow that consumes the crops ' refers to this.
Others take a different view and assert that when a
Sow has tasted green com its teeth are weakened.

46. It would appear that Nature has provided Nature's me-
grass as a remedy for the wounds of Dogs. And if anS 3 for
they are troubled with worms they get rid of them

by eating ' standing ' corn, as it is called. And when
they need to empty both stomachs they are said to
eat some grass, and as much of their food as remains
undigested they vomit up, while the remainder is
excreted. It is from this source that the Egyptians
are said to have learnt the practice of taking purges.
But Partridges, Storks, and Ring-doves, when
wounded are said to chew marjoram and then to
spread it on their wounds and cure their body ; and
they have no need at all of mans healing art.

47. In this matter I shall have no need of any
witness from antiquity but shall narrate what I
myself have seen and know.

A man captured a Lizard of the excessively green A Lizard,
and unusually large species, and with a point made rl^k^'its
of bronze he pierced and blinded the Lizard. And si $ ht
after boring some very fine holes in a newly fashioned
earthenware vessel so as to admit the air, but small
enough to prevent the creature from escaping, he

a The expression is used loosely to denote the stomach
proper and the intestines, for the dog has but one stomach.

343

AELIAN

fjiaXa evopocrov, Kal to Orjplov ipufiaXcov Kal vroav 1
riva rjs ovk ewre to ovofxa real oaKrvXtov oihrjpov 2
meTTOirniivov Kal <=x ovra XWov Vaydrr\v 3 coirep odv
€V€LpyauTO yXvp^pua aavpos, ttjv pbkv yvrpav
irrqXvyaaev, eWea ipuirXdaas cr^eta, <Lv a^pet
a<f>payloa 3 i<f>* rjpidpas iwia. Kal rrjp iirl
nacrous 4 d<j)avloras dvoiyei to gkevos, Kal eytoye
elBov tov vavpov ipu^XiTrovra, Kal €VC07Tordrovs 5

TOVS 6<f>9aAflOVS TOVS T€CO$ 7T€7Tr]pCOfJi€VOV9 €1^6.

Kal tov 6 {Jl<ev, evOev rjpdOrjy ivravOa arreAuCTa/xev,
SaKrvXiov Se £k<=ivov 6 dvrjp 6 ravra opdvas
d<f>6aXfjLOLs dyaOov €(f>acrK€v etvai.

48. 'E/i,ot $€ aiG^iGrov $ok€i, <L avOpamoi,
<j>iXlav fiev rots C^ots vrpos aXXrjXa etvac, fjurj
liovois rdi$ crvvvofjiocs avrwv fjurjSe p,7]V rots ofjuoye-
viaiVj 7]&7) oe Kal rots ptrjoev irpoarfKOVcrC o<f>iat,
Kara to koivov yivos* to£s yovv al£iv at ots
<j>lXiai, irepLGrepa 8e 7Tp6$ rpvyova <f>iXia? <j>lXa
Se aXAijXois 8 voovai cfrdrtai t€ Kal TrepSt/cey,
dXKvova Se Kal KTjpvXov rroOovvre dXXrjXco TrdXau
ta/xev, Koptovrjv re ipcpoi<p <f>lXa voetv Kal Xdpov
ra> KaXovfievcp koXoico Kal Iktwco apiriqv, noXe-
fjbovcri Se alcLviov ttoXciiqv Kal aairovhov cos eiTrelv
KOpcoval re Kal yXavKes' 7roXipnoi 0€ apa elcrlv
lktlvos re Kal Kopai;, Kal 7rvpaXXls trpos rpvyova,
Kal fipivBos Kal Xdpos? trdXw re 6 ^AoopeiW vpos

1 <ek8v(jlv . . . 7roav] . e/cSucnv, to drjpiov ifx^aXoiv /cat yrjv
viroxias koX ft. €. kol iroav.

2 Ges : GL$T)povv. 3 (pUav) cr<J>p. ? H.
4 irdcrais rrjv iwdrrjv. 5 evaiTroripovs-

6 to. 7 treptarepa . . . ^t'A^.

344

ON ANIMALS, V. 47-48

heaped some very moist earth into it and put the
Lizard inside together with a certain herb, of which
he did not divulge the name, and an iron ring with
a bezel of lignite engraved with the figure of a lizard.
After stamping nine seals upon the vessel he then
covered it up, removing one seal daily for nine days.
And when he had destroyed the last seal of all he
opened the vessel, and I myself saw the Lizard
having its sight and its eyes, which till then had been
blinded, seeing perfectly well. And we released the
Lizard on the spot where it had been captured, and
the man who had done these things asserted that that
ring of his was good for the eyes..

48. It fills me with shame, you human beings, to f^^,
think of the friendly relations that subsist between

and enmities

animals, not only those that feed together nor even
those of the same species, but even between those
that have no connexion through a common origin.
For instance, Sheep are friends with Goats ; there is
friendship between Pigeon and Turtle-dove ; Ring-
doves and Partridges entertain friendly feelings to-
wards one another ; we have long known that the
Halcyon and the Ceryl desire each other ; that the
Crow is friendly disposed towards the Heron, and the
Sea-mew towards the Little Cormorant, as it is called,
and the Shearwater towards the Kite. But there is
war everlasting and without truce, so to say, between
Crows and Owls. Enemies too are the Kite and the
Raven, the Pyrallis and the Turtle-dove, the Bren-
thus a and the Sea-mew, and again the Greenfinch( ?)
a Unknown water-bird. Perh. the ' Avocet,' Gossen § 187.

9 Ges : irdypos.

345

AELIAN

rpvyova, Kal alyviriol kcll deroi, Kal kvkvol Kal
BpaKOvres, Kal irpos fiovfiaXtBas Kal ravpovs 1
Xeovres. £)(6 terra 2 Be apa iXe<j)as Kal Spatccov
rjv, Kal 7Tpos duTTiSa 6 lyyevp,oyv 3 6 Be aiyiBos rep
ovep' 6 p,ev yap (byK-qaaro, prjywrai Bk rep
alylOip ra cbd, Kal ol veorrol eKTrLiTTovcriv dreXeis*
6 Be Tipbuypwv rols reKvois irrnrvfia rcov ova>v rols
ekKeai, Kal iaOlei avrd. p,iaei Be dXwirqt; KipKov
Kal ravpos KopaKa, Kal 6 avQos 3 rov lttttov.
Xprj Be elBevai rov TreiraiBevpuevov Kai p,rjBev
fxaTrjv aKOvovra on Kal BeXcbls (fraXXawr} Bid^opos,
Adj3paK€$ ye pur)v Kearpevm, puvpatvai Be yoyypois,
Kal dXXa aAAots.

49. At dpKTOi rcov Orjparcov rovs is 4 crrofxa
ireuovras Kal to Trvevpua is eavrovs coaavras
6a<f)p7]adp,€vat, cbs veKpovs TrapaXipbTtavovai, Kal
BoKeZ rovro to C<p ov veKpov fiBeXuTTeadai,. pnuovoc
Be kol ol fives rovs iv rals eavrcov BiaLrais Kal
KaraBpopbais diroOavovras , Kal puevroi <(«:at> 5
X^XiBcov eK/SaAAet x^XiBova veKpdvf p,vpp,y]Ke$ Be,
Kal eKeivois €K<f)opds veKpcov fxeXetv Kal KaQaipeiv
rovs a<f>erepovs ^pa/xotj? rj ao<j>cordrrj <f>vcns
eBajKev, €7rel Kal rovro lBlov rcov dXoycov, ra
ofioyevrj re Kal 6p,ocbva redvecora rcov 6tf>6aXp,tov
d-nochepew Qarrov. Xeyovai Be AIBiottlov Xoyoi
alfjuvXtas re Kal Kopurrov ^XX'qviKov dyevaroi on
apa iXetpavra Oeacrdfievos eXecbas veKpov ovk dv
TrapeXQoi pur) rrj TTpofioaKtBi yrjv dpvadfxevos Kal

1 Kal ravpovs del B (1876). 2 ej&iorov.

8 Ges : dvBios* 4 em Sckn.

34^

ON ANIMALS, V. 48-49

and the Turtle-dove, the Aegypius and the Eagle,
Swans and Water-snakes(?), a and Lions are the
enemies of Antelopes and Bulls. The bitterest hate
exists between the Elephant and the Python, 6 be-
tween the Asp and the Ichneumon, between the Blue
Tit and the Ass, for directly the Ass brays the Blue
Tit's eggs are smashed and the young ones are spilt,
still imperfect. And so to avenge its offspring the
Blue Tit leaps upon the Ass's sore places and feeds
on them. The Fox detests a Falcon and the Bull a
Raven, and the Buff-backed Heron the Horse. And
an educated man who attends to what he hears
should know that the Dolphin is at feud with the
Whale, the Basse too with the Mullet, and the Moray
with the Conger Eel, and so on.

49. When Bears have sniffed at hunters who have Animals'
fallen on their face and knocked the breath out of fead bodies
themselves, they leave them for dead, and it seems
that these creatures are disgusted by a dead body.
Mice also hate those that die in their holes and lurking-
places; and a Swallow too ejects a dead Swallow
from its nest. Ants also, thanks to the supreme
wisdom of Nature, are careful to carry away dead
bodies and to cleanse their nests, for it is character-
istic of brute beasts that, when one of their own
species and kind has died, they speedily remove it
out of sight. And Ethiopian histories, which are
untainted by the pretentious plausibility of the
Greeks, tell us that if one Elephant sees another The
lying dead, it will not pass by without drawing up

and its dead

« See Arist. HA 602 b 25. h Lit. 4 dragon.'

5 <W> add. H.

vekpav Kal iiiXvrrat.

347

AELIAN

€7Tif$aX<Lv y (bs oaiav Tiva dTropprjTOP vtrep rrj$
</>vaea)s rfjs Koivrjs iKTeXajv 1 etvai yap to fxrj
Bpaaat tovto evayis. dvoxp^} 8e ot Kal KXdtov
€7rt/?aAeti^ Kal wntioi to kowov drrdvTwv TeAo?
pJr\ arijuaoraff. d<j>iKTai Be Xoyos T^ua? /cat

€K€lVOS. OTCLV iX4<f>aVTe$ aTtodvqGKCOOW €K TpaV-

jxaTtov 77 ftXrjOevTes iv TroXifia) 77 iv Biqpa iraBovTes
tovto, Tfjs ttocls rrjs TrapaTvxovoyjs rj ttjs kovccds
Trjs €.v ttoglv dveX6p,evoi y is tov ovpavov dvafiXi-
TTOVCFl KCtl fidXXoVGt Tt TO)V Trpo€ipr\\x,iviov Kal
<f>0)vfj T?J &(f>€T€pa KWVpOVTal T€ Kal TTOTVLCOVTai,

a>a7T€p odv tovs Beovs {j,apTvp6p,€voi icfS ots

€K8lK(OS T€ Kal eKVOflOJS V7TOfl€VOVGLV.

50. "I8ta Si dpa tG>v Ccvojv Kal TavTrj 2 8977701;
KaTayv&vai rrapeuTi. tov$ yovv opvecs tovs
r}9d§as Kal tovs iv rroal rpe^op^ivovs re /cat
e^erafo/xeVous' opwjjiev lttttovs Kal ovovs Kal fiovs
Kal KapuijXovs BappovvTas' et Se /cat iX4(f>avTL ttov
TTpdcp Kal rjpLepq) GWTp£<f>oiVTo 3 ol 8e ovk 6ppu)$ov-
gw } aAAa /cat St s avTWV CKetvcov epxovTat. 97877
Se dXtKTpvoves Kal iirl ra vaira avrcov dvarriTOv-
Tat* togovtov avTois tov BdpGovs rrepUaTi Kal
tov aoeovs. irroLav ok avTois €vtIBt]gl Kal 8eo$
luxvpov yaXrj 7TapaSpapLOvaa. Kal fjLVKrjcreajv puiv
Kal oyKrjaecDV ov TtoiovvTai wpav 3 Kpl^acrav 8e
dpa fiovov 7T€^pt/cacrt tt)v TrpoeLprjfievrjv. yr\ v & v
8e Kal 3 kvkvow 4 /cat GTpovBwv twv fieydXtov 77
rt 97 ovSiv <f>povTiCovatv 3 tepa/ca Be ^pa^vraTov 5
ovTa dppwBovaiv. 6 8e dXeKTpvdjv aaas <f>ofieZ

348

1 etcreXcov koX (f>evycov dyos.

ON ANIMALS, V. 4 9~5°

some earth with its trunk and casting it upon the
corpse, as though it were performing some sacred and
mysterious rite on behalf of their common nature ;
and that to fail in this duty is to incur a curse. It is
enough for it even to cast a branch upon the body ;
and with due respect paid to the common end of all
things the Elephant goes on its way.

And there has reached us also the following story. ^y™s
When Elephants are dying of wounds, stricken either ep an
in battle or in hunting, they pick up any grass they
may find or some of the dust at their feet, and looking
upwards to the heaven, cast some of these objects in
that direction and wail and cry aloud in indignation
in their own language, as though they were calling
the gods to witness how unjustly and how wrongfully
they are suffering.

1 50 (i). By the following cases also, I think, one may Confidence
recognize traits peculiar to animals. For instance, Animals
we see domestic fowls that are reared at the feet, and
have experience, of horses, asses, cows, or camels,
showing no fear of them. And if they are fed along
with, say, a tame and gentle elephant, they are not
afraid but even move about among those creatures.
And cockerels even fly up on to their backs, such are
their resulting courage and freedom from fear. But
they are fluttered and terrified if a marten runs by.
To the lowing of cattle or the braying of an ass they
pay no attention ; but a marten has but to chatter
and they tremble. For geese, swans, and ostriches
they care little or nothing, but are in terror of a hawk
although it is very small. With its crowing a cock

2 ravra. 3 T€ Kat '*

4 Beiske : kvvwv. 5 fipaxyrepov.

349

AELIAN

fiev Xeovra, dvaipet Be fiaoikiaKOV ov purjv cj>€pet 1
ovre aiXovpovs ovre Iktlvovs . at Be Trepiorepal
aercov puev KXayyrjv Kal yvTrcov Oappovcri, KipKcov
e /cat aAiaerwv ovKen.

'H Be TTOipJVT) 2 KOI 6 €pL(j)OS KCLI 7T(LXlOV 7TGLV €7U

ras prqrpwas OrjXds ep^erat yevvrfievTa f napaxpv\p<a s
Kal fiivroL Kal twv ovBdroyv Gir&vra ifXTrcrrXarat'
7ToXv7Tpay{JLOV€L Be to T€Kov ovBe ev, dXXd eGTrjKev.
viTTia Be TrapafidXXei ras OrjXds rots f$pe<j>eoi ra
a^tfoVoSa rravra, Xvkoc Kal Kvves Kal Xeacvat
Kal TrapBdXets.

51. UoXv<f>a)v6raTa Be ra faia Kal 7ToXv</>6oyya

0)5 &V €L7TOLS ^VCIS dl!Te<f)7JVeV , 3 <X>G7T€p OVV Kal

rovg dvOpaiTTOvs. 6 yovv HiKvBi]s dXXcos cj>9eyyeraL
Kal 6 *lvB6$ aAAcos^ Kal 6 AlQLoifs €^€i <j>a>vriv
(7Vfji(f>vd 4: Kal oi SaKcu* <f>a>vr} Be 'EAAas dXAy), Kal
'Pajjaata clXXtj. ovto) rot Kal ra £wa dXXo dXAws
irpoierai tov avyyevij Trjs yXwrrrjs fjx° v Te KaL
iff6<f>ov to p,ev yap fipvx&Tat, fMVKarat Be aXXo,
Kal xpepLeTiapua dXXbv Kal oyKTjms ^aAAou)-/
aAAov pXrjx^OjJLos T€ Kal ^Kacr/xos", 6 Kal tlgl fiev
wpvypLos, rial Be vXaypos <f>i\ov 9 Kal dXXcp 7
dppdt^ew KXayyal Be 8 Kal pot^oi Kal Kpcyfxol
Kal <LBal Kal fxeXwBlat Kal rpavXiafxol Kal puvpia
erepa Btopa rfjs <j>vaea)$ IB La row £Vpa>v aAAa
aAAcov.

52. 'Ava TTjv x^P av T V V A-lyvirrlav dcrmBes
(fxxjXevovat, tov NecXov TrXrjalov etrl rij$ oxOrjs
eKarepas. Kal tov [lev dXXov xpdvov <f>iXox<x>povcri

1 od <j>epei fjurjv. 2 Abresch : Xl^vrj.

35°

ON ANIMALS, V. 50-52

scares a lion and is fatal to a basilisk, and yet it
cannot endure cats or kites. And pigeons are not -
afraid at the cry of eagles and vultures, but they are
at the cry of falcons and of sea-eagles.

(ii). The lamb, the kid, and every foal directly it is Animals
born goes for its dam's teats and sucks the dugs until their young
it is full. And the parent shows no concern but
stands still. Whereas all animals with parted toes,
wolves, hounds, lions, leopards, lie down to give their
young suck.

51. Nature has made animals with an immense The various

. , « tp -1 -1 sounds made

variety 01 voice and 01 speech,, as it were, even as sne by animals
has men. For instance, the Scythian speaks one
language, the Indian another; the Ethiopian has a
natural language, so too have the Sacae; the. lan-
guage of Greece and that of Rome are dhTerent.
And so it is with animals : each has a different way
of producing the tone and the sound natural to its
tongue. Thus, one roars, another lows, a third
whinnies, <(another> brays, yet another baas and
bleats ; while to some howling is customary, to others
barking, and to another snarling. Screaming,
whistling, hooting, singing, warbling, twittering,
and countless other gifts of Nature are peculiar to
different animals.

52. In the Egyptian countryside Asps have their |^}f and
holes by the Nile on either bank. Most of the time avoid the
they stay round about their <lurking-places> and are gg° g of fcte

3 av€(jyr]vev. 4 av^vi}.

5 <aAAou> add. Gow.

6 fiyKaafios, Kal Sta^opa <$>BiyiMura*

7 7x5 <JAAa>. 8 re Kal.

351

AELIAN

koX dyaTTCoaiv . . <L$ ras olKcas ras acf>erepas
ol avBpomoi- fxeXXovros Se rod TrorapLov Kara rrjv
capav rrjv Sipetov 2 dvaTrXeiv^ irpo rpiaKovrd ttov
rjfieptov at 7TpoeLprjfi€vaL darrlSes pberoiKi^ovrai is
rd a7Ta)T€pci) rov NetAou ^copia, Kal rovs o^dovs
rovs vrrepexovras ioepTrovot, Kal fjbivroL Kal rd
o<f>cov avrcov eKyova hrdyovrai, Scopov rovro iStov
Xaxovaat irapd rijs <f)VG€tos elhevai TrorapLov
rooovrov Kal ovrws ipyariKov rrjv ava irav eros
emS^fttW, Kal rr)v i£ avrov KardXrji/flv re Kal
Xvp/qv <f>vXdrreo8ai. Kal at ^eAtovat Se Kal ol
KapKivot Kal ol KpoKoStXoL rd cod Kara rr)v copav
rrjv avrr)v p,€raKOfil£ovcriv is ra dfiara rep rro~
rafico Kal dvecj>iKra' Kal ivrevOev 17877 Xoyl£ovrai
ol ivrvyxdvovres rots rcov 7Tpoet,pr}p,evtov coots 6
NetAos" dveXQcbv is ttoctov iirapSevoeL 4 a<j>Loi rrjv
yfjv.

53. Ot lttttol ol rrordpLioi rov NeiAov pbdv elm
rp6</>ifM0L' orav 8e ra Aijta ivaKfid^rj Kal Satv ol
ardxves ifavdol, ovk apyovrai Tvapaxprjfxa KeLpetv
avrovs Kal iaQUw, aKXd rrapafxelfiovres etjcoBev
to Xrjiov aroxd^ovrai rroaov avrovs ifiTrXfjarei 5
fxdrpov, etra Xoyiodpuevoi ro drtoxp^ov othLoiv
ifX7TL7rrovcTi Kal dvaxcopovoiv iirl ir68a e^m7rAa/x€-
voi s to pevfia rod Trorafxov Kara vwrov Xafiovres.
7T€(/)tXoa6(firjrat Se dpa rovro avrots, tva el rives
rcov yecopycov iirloiev dpuvvovpLevoif ol Se €K rov
pdorov is ro vScop KaraSpafjueXv ex oiev > tovs
7ToXefj,lovs dvriTrpooto7TOV$ , aXXd ovk omcrdev ol
Ittttoi odroi SoKevovres ?

1 Lacuna : <tJ7roSpojaas> conj. H.

352

ON ANIMALS, V. 52-53

as attached to them as human beings are to their
own homes. But when in the summertime the river
threatens to overflow, the aforesaid Asps emigrate
some thirty days beforehand to districts further
away from the Nile and creep into bluffs above the
river, and, what is more, bring their young with
them : they have received from Nature this special
gift of being able to foretell the annual visitation of
a river so mighty and so active, and to guard against
being overtaken and destroyed by it. And at the
same season turtles and crabs and crocodiles transfer
their eggs to spots which the river cannot touch or
reach. Hence those who come across the eggs of
the aforesaid creatures calculate to what extent the
Nile will rise and irrigate their land.

53. Hippopotamuses are nurslings of the Nile, and T ^ e a ^P°-
when the crops are ripe and the ears are yellow they po amus
do not forthwith begin to graze and eat them but pass
along outside the crop and calculate what area will
satisfy them ; and then, having reckoned how much
will be enough, they fall to, and as they fill them-
selves they withdraw backwards, keeping the river
behind them. Now this move they have cleverly
devised so that, should any farmers attack them in
self-defence, they can run down into the water with
complete ease, on the look out for enemies in front
of them but not looking behind them.

2 Anon, : tt}V to. Oepeiav A, rwv 0ei<av other MSS.

3 avavrXw, dvaxOeiaai Kal (bOovptvai xmo re irX^dovs vbaros
Kai tcov €Tf]aLoiv dvefuav.

4 Eeishe: efra dphevaei.

e aiivvopevot. 7 Qes i Bokovvtss.

353

AELIAN

54. 'Ev rfj Mavpovcrca yfj al iraphdXeis ' rocs
TTidrjKois ov Kara to Kaprepov ovhe ottcqs av
k'xaxnv a\f<fjs re Kal pcopurjs emridevrai. 1 to he
alriov, ov x<*>povviv opudae, dXXd anoBiSpdo-Kov&Lv
avras Kal eirl ra hevhpa dvadeovcri Kal eKel
KdOrjvrat, rrjv eKelvwv imfiovXrjv (f>vXarr6fievoi.
rjv he dpa 17 rrdphaXcs Kal rov iridriKov hoXepwre-
pov. ocas yovv in avrots iraXap,arat re Kal
paurei rds irayas. orrov 7rXfj9o$ rrt6i]Kcov Kadrjv-
rai } evravOa eXOovaa eavrrjv vireppiijse rco hevhpoo,
Kai Kelrai Kara rov Bairehov virrla, Kal rrjv p,ev
yaurepa hicoyKOiae, wap^e he rd crKeXrj, toj he
6cf>9aXfi<h Karifxvoe, mefet ye purjv 2 to aa9p,a,
Kal Kelrai veKpd 8-77. ol he avayQev rrjv e-^lar^v
Ihovres reBvdvai vopul^ovaiv avrr\v s Kal o pdXiara
fiovXovrai, rovro Kal olovr at. ov firjv Qappovaiv
rjhrj, dXXd rteipav KaQiaai, Kal earvv 97 rreTpa, eva
eavrwv rov BoKovvra dheeararov 3 Karairepi-
rrovm 3 ftaoaviuovra Kal KaravKexjs6p,evov to rrjs
rraphdXews irddos. 6 he Kareiutv ov 7TavreXoos
dSerjs, dXXd oXtyov Karahpapidiv etra vrrecrrpeiffev,
rod (f>6fiov dvaarecXavros avrov Kal KarrjXOe
rrdXiVy Kal TrXrjalov yevopuevos dvexcLprjae, Kal
VTrearpexfjev avdis, Kal rw 6<f>daXpLd> KarecrKeiftaro,
Kal to TTvev\ia 4 el pueBLiqcriv igijravev. rj he
drpefiovaa Kal pudXa eyKparcos evrLQrjaiv oi to
Kara fxiKpd dhees. irpoaeXBovros he Kal irapapbi-
vovros d-rraOovs Kal ol pierecopoi TrldrjKOL Oappovow
rjhr), Kal Karahpap^ovres eK re eKelvov rov hivhpov
Kai rdjv oXXojv oaa ttX^glov rraparre^vKev s dBpooi

354

ON ANIMALS, V. 54

54. In Mauretania Leopards do not attack Mon- JgJgJ^
keys with force nor with all the strength and power eys
at their command, the reason being that the Monkeys
do not face them but escape from them and run up
trees and sit there on guard against the designs of
the Leopards. Yet it seems that after all the Leo-
pard is craftier than the Monkey, for such designs
and traps does it contrive for the Monkeys. It comes
to the place where a gathering of Monkeys is seated,
throws itself down beneath a tree, lies on the ground
on its back, inflates its belly, relaxes its legs, closes
both eyes, and even holds its breath, and lies there
like one dead. And the Monkeys looking down upon
their most hated enemy, fancy it to be dead; and
what they most fervently desire, that they believe.
For all that, they do not as yet take courage but make
an experiment, and the experiment is this : they send
down one of their number whom they regard as the
most fearless to test and to scrutinise the state of the
Leopard. So the Monkey descends not altogether
unafraid; but after running down a little way he
turns back, fear causing him to retreat. And a second
time he descends and having approached, withdraws ;
and a third time he returns and observes the Leo-
pard's eyes and examines it to see if it is breathing.
But the Leopard, by remaining motionless with the
utmost self-control, inspires a gradual fearlessness in
the Monkey. And since it approaches and remains
close by and takes no harm, the Monkeys up aloft also
now gather courage and run down from that particu-
lar tree and from all others that grow near by, and
assembling in a mass encircle the Leopard and dance

7rvei;jLta re Kal to aadfia.

355

AELIAN

yevopbevoi irepiepyovral re /cat Trepi^opevovmv
avrrjv. etra epbTrrjSijoravres avrfj /cat eirifidvres
KareKVpLOTTjaav /cat Karoyp-)(r\aavro Keprofxov rtva
/cat TndiqKOis TTpiirovoav opyr^uw^ Kal ttolklXws
evvfiplaavres , rjv ex ovcriv <l>s irrl veKpa %a/>av /cat
rjBovrjv ifxaprvpavro. r) Be vrripLewe rravra, etra
orav eworjar) KeKpbrjKevac vtto re rijs ^opetas
avrovs koX tyjs vfipecas, aSoKrjrcos dvaTrrjSrjaacra
Kal iaOopovcra 2 tov$ puev rots 6w$;i Sieirjve, tov$
Be rocs oBovcrt SieoTrdoaro, /cat rrjv e/c rcov
TToXejjtsLcov rravdoivlav re /cat travBaiolav d<f>9o»
vojrara ex €l > rXrjpLovojs Be e^etv 3 /cat Kaprepcos
/cat yevviKws i) <f>vvis KeXevei 4 rrjv rrdpBaXiv
virep rod rG>v TroXepLtojv evvfipiadvrwv TrepiyeveaBai
KapreptKwrara evaOXovoav /cat p,rj Beop^evrjv elTrelv
rerXaOi Br) KpaBLrj. 6 ye p,r)v rod Aaeprov eavrov
i£eKaXvipev oXLyov Trpo rod Kaipov, rrjv e/c rcov
7raiBcaKcbu it/Spiv pur) <f>epa>v.

55. 'Ei> rots 1 'IvSot? ol eXe<f>avres, orav rc rwv
BevBpojv avroppL^ov dvayKa^OiOiv avrovs ol 'I^Sot
iKatrdcrcu, ov rrporepov epLrrqB&aw 5 ovSe ernx^-
povo-L rep epyep rrplv r] Staa-etaat avro /cat StaoTce-
ijsaaQai, apd ye 6 dvarpaTTrjvac otov re icrnv rj
rravreXws dBvvarov,

56. At ev Hivpois eXa<f>oi ylvovrac puev ev opeat
pueyurroLSy *Ap,avtp re Kal At/JdVa> /cat Kap/x^Aar
orav Se fiovXrjQatai, rrepaiooaaadai rrjv ddXarrav,
errl rds f]6vas dj>tKvodvrai r) dyeXr} 3 /cat avapLe-

1 Ges : opxqoTLK-qv. 2 eKQopovaa*

356

ON ANIMALS, V. 54-56

round it. Then they leap upon it and turn somer-
saults on its body and by dancing in triumph a dance
appropriate to monkeys, and by a variety of insults
testify to the joy and delight they feel over the sup-
posed corpse. But the Leopard submits to all this
until it realises that the Monkeys are tired by their
dancing and their insolence, when it leaps up un-
expectedly and springs at them. And some it
lacerates with its claws, others it tears to pieces with
its teeth, and enjoys without stint the ample and
sumptuous banquet provided by its enemies. It is
Nature that bids the Leopard endure with heroic
fortitude, so that it may rise superior to the insults
of its enemies, bearing up with the utmost patience
and finding no need to say ' endure, my heart '
[Horn. Od. 20. 18]. Indeed the son of Laertes was
within an ace of revealing himself prematurely
through being unable to tolerate the insults of the
maidservants.

55. In India Elephants, when compelled by the The

n . j. j n j 14. Elephant

natives to pull up some tree, roots and all, do not
immediately attack it and begin the task, until they
have shaken it and have tested it thoroughly to see
whether in fact it can be overturned, or whether that
is utterly impossible.

56. The Deer of Syria are born on the highest P ee £ h c e r °f a "
mountains, on Amanus, on Libanus, and on Carmel. ,
And when they want to cross the sea the herd goes

down to the beaches and waits until the wind drops ;

5 Jac : e/c-.

6 « ye apa or d apa ye.

35?

AELIAN

vovat tov TTvevfxaros rrjv ^Otacv, 1 /cat rjvtKa aV
ataOcovrai irpdov avro /cat ^av^ov Kara7rviov i
nqviKavra emBappovac tw 7reAayet. veovat Se
Kara orolxov, /cat d^XrjXcov ex oVTa h ra yeVeta at
€7rofjb€vac tcov 7rp07]yovp,eva)v rfj 6a<f>vi €7repel8ov~
car 7] . . ,. 2 reAeurata Se yevofievrj ttJ rrpoadev
em Tracrais iavrrjv eTravaTravaacra etra ovpayei.
ariXkovrat, Se €ttI ttjv Kvirpov iroQcp T'rjs ttocls
tt}s e/cet* Aeyerat yap arat fiadeta /cat voids'
ayaOas 7ra/>e^ew. 3 /cat XeyovaL ye Kwr/>tot evyecov
oIk€lv %a)pov, /cat rat? Alymrriwv dpovpats
roXfiwaiv avTiKplveiv rds" aferepas. eAa^ot
/cat erepat ri^Se tt^f y^tv a7roSet/cwvTat. at youv
'HTretpcortSes 1 es rrjv KepKvpav Stan^ovrat, aWt-
TropfffjLot Se aAA^Aat? atSe elaiv.

1 <j>vaw.

2 Lacuna : iy <Se ^yovfxcvq irpoodev, orav Kafir) ,y reAeuTaia
Jactjxmp. Opp. (7^». 2. 225, Max. Tyr. 12. 3. '

3 «rxe«\

358

ON ANIMALS, V. 56

and as soon as they observe that there is a favourable
and gentle breeze, then they brave the open sea. And
they swim in single file, holding on to one another,
the ones behind supporting their chins on the rumps
of those in front . . .« takes the last place m the
line, and resting itself upon the one next m front
of it in the whole troop, brings up the rear. And
they make for Cyprus in their longing for the mea-
dows there, for they are said to be deep and to afiord
excellent pasture. The Cypriots indeed claim that
they live in a fertile country, and venture to compare
their arable land with that of Egypt. And there
are Deer from other countries too which show this
same capacity for swimming. For example, the Deer
of Epirus swim across to Corcyra: the two countries
face each other across a strait.

« Some words have been lost; following Jacobs's suggested
filling of* the lacuna we may translate : * When the one that
has been leading hitherto begins to tire, it drops back to tne
end of the file, and, etc*

359